Oil Prices Set for Moderate Dip on Gaza Ceasefire

Core Insights - Crude oil prices are experiencing a decline due to a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with Brent crude at $64.90 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate at $61.28, indicating the disappearance of the Middle East war premium [1] - The focus has shifted back to an impending oil surplus as OPEC unwinds production cuts, although benchmarks may end the week with slight gains [2] - The ongoing Ukraine conflict continues to maintain a war premium, with Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister indicating that efforts for a similar deal with Ukraine are largely exhausted [3] Group 1: Oil Price Dynamics - The ceasefire in the Middle East has led to a reduction in oil prices, with Brent crude at $64.90 and WTI at $61.28 [1] - Analysts note that the unwinding of OPEC production cuts is contributing to expectations of an oil surplus [2] - The Ukraine war is identified as a significant upside risk for oil prices, with potential sanctions and tariffs on Russia providing support for oil benchmarks [4] Group 2: Geopolitical Risks - The potential for disruptions in Russian energy infrastructure due to Ukrainian drone attacks poses a risk to crude oil exports [5] - The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a rise in fuel demand to 21.99 million barrels daily, the highest since late 2022, indicating robust demand in the U.S. [6]