SC价差走强突破前高，库存骤降支撑油价震荡反弹

Report Industry Investment Rating Not provided Core Viewpoints of the Report Crude oil prices may fluctuate strongly in the short term, but there is still downward pressure in the medium and long term. Support factors include the unexpected decline in US crude oil inventories, the narrowing of the discount of crude oil from the Middle East to Asia, the incomplete dissipation of geopolitical risk premiums, and the structural differentiation of fuel demand at the end of the Northern Hemisphere summer. Suppressing factors include the expectation of OPEC+ to accelerate the exit from production cuts, the increase in US exports, seasonal refinery maintenance, and cautious macro - sentiment [3]. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 1. Daily Market Summary - Crude Oil Futures Market Data Changes: On August 21, 2025, the SC crude oil main contract rose 1.68% to 490.9 yuan/barrel, breaking through the recent oscillation range. The prices of WTI and Brent main contracts remained at $62.84/barrel and $67.04/barrel respectively. The SC - Brent spread widened from $0.21/barrel to $1.35/barrel (a 542.86% increase), and the SC - WTI spread rose from $4.41/barrel to $5.55/barrel. The Brent - WTI spread was stable at $4.2/barrel. The spread between the near - month and the third - consecutive contract of SC narrowed from - 4.2 yuan/barrel to - 2.0 yuan/barrel [1]. - Supply - Demand and Inventory Changes in the Industrial Chain - Supply: US crude oil exports rebounded to over 4 million barrels per day in August - September, the highest since the beginning of the year. OPEC+ accelerating the lifting of 2.2 million barrels per day of voluntary production cuts still suppresses market sentiment. UK sanctions on Iranian business entities may increase the risk of restricted Iranian crude oil exports [2]. - Demand: The US gasoline demand peak season is nearing its end, and refinery maintenance may suppress short - term crude oil processing demand. As of the week ending August 15, commercial crude oil inventories in the US dropped by 6 million barrels to 420.7 million barrels. The Asian market is significantly differentiated, with Singapore's light/medium distillate inventories rising to 17 - week and 6 - week highs, and fuel oil inventories dropping to an 8 - week low [2]. - Inventory: US natural gas inventories have been accumulating less than expected, indicating energy demand resilience. The narrowing of the SC far - month discount may imply increased spot purchasing momentum in the Asia - Pacific region [2]. - Price Trend Judgment: Crude oil prices may fluctuate strongly in the short term, but there is still downward pressure in the medium and long term. Later, attention should be paid to OPEC+ production policy adjustments, the sustainability of US exports, and changes in Asian distillate inventories [3]. 2. Industrial Chain Price Monitoring - Crude Oil: The prices of most crude oil futures and spot contracts increased on August 21, 2025. The SC - Brent and SC - WTI spreads widened, while the Brent - WTI spread narrowed. US commercial crude oil inventories decreased, and the US refinery weekly operating rate and crude oil processing volume increased slightly [5]. - Fuel Oil: The prices of most fuel oil futures and spot contracts increased on August 21, 2025. Singapore's fuel oil inventories decreased, while some US distillate inventories increased [6]. 3. Industry Dynamics and Interpretations - Supply: US crude oil exports are expected to exceed 4 million barrels per day in August and September, reaching the highest level since the beginning of the year, due to refinery maintenance and the price advantage of WTI in Asia [7][8]. - Demand: Air Canada expects flights to operate close to the normal schedule tomorrow [9]. - Inventory: US natural gas inventories increased by 13 billion cubic feet in the week ending August 15, less than expected. Singapore's light and medium distillate inventories rose to multi - week highs, and fuel oil inventories dropped to an 8 - week low [10][11]. - Market Information: The UK imposed sanctions on an Iranian business tycoon and several key enterprises in his network [12]. 4. Industrial Chain Data Charts The report provides multiple data charts, including the prices and spreads of WTI and Brent first - line contracts, the spread between SC and WTI, US crude oil production, refinery operating rates, and inventories of various types of oil products [13][15][17]