Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-12-09 22:59Core Viewpoint - Oil prices continued to decline despite attempts to rebound during the European session, influenced by geopolitical tensions and supply-demand dynamics in the oil market [4][16]. Oil Market Dynamics - WTI crude oil futures closed at $58.25 per barrel, down 1.07%, while Brent crude oil futures settled at $61.94, down 0.88% [6][18]. - The American Petroleum Institute (API) reported a significant drop in crude oil inventories, but this did not boost market sentiment [4][16]. - The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projected that U.S. oil production will reach a record high of 13.61 million barrels per day in 2025, an increase of 20,000 barrels from previous estimates [4][16]. - The EIA also revised down its 2026 production forecast by 5,000 barrels to an average of 13.53 million barrels per day, reinforcing expectations of a supply surplus in the oil market [4][16]. Geopolitical Influences - Ukrainian President Zelensky is negotiating three core documents with partners, focusing on framework agreements, security guarantees, and post-war reconstruction [4][9][21]. - The Trump administration is reportedly preparing plans for regime change in Venezuela, which could lead to further geopolitical disruptions affecting oil markets [7][19]. Market Sentiment and Recommendations - The diesel market has seen a significant decline, fully reversing previous gains made due to concerns over Russian sanctions, leading to weakened crack spreads and reduced support for oil prices [5][17]. - Overall market sentiment towards oil prices has cooled, with recommendations to consider shorting opportunities during price rallies [5][17].