Group 1 - The global oil supply-demand imbalance is worsening, with geopolitical turmoil and policy conflicts making oil price forecasts uncertain [1][2] - OPEC's production increase and non-OPEC capacity release are undermining traditional pricing power, leading to a decline in oil giants' profits by an average of 25% [1][4] - The International Energy Agency has raised global oil supply growth forecasts while lowering demand growth, indicating persistent market imbalance risks [1][3] Group 2 - OPEC is attempting to balance regaining market share and avoiding significant price drops to protect profits, amid unpredictable U.S. trade policies and geopolitical tensions [2][3] - Major oil companies have reported significant profit declines, with ExxonMobil down 15%, Chevron down 40%, Shell down 23%, and TotalEnergies down 32% [2][4] - The potential easing of sanctions on Russian oil could increase global supply and exert downward pressure on prices, while a slowdown in European demand is expected [2][3] Group 3 - The soft power dynamics behind supply-demand imbalances are characterized by a decline in policy effectiveness, with OPEC's daily production increase of 547,000 barrels countered by non-OPEC contributions [3][4] - The geopolitical landscape is shifting, with U.S. sanctions on Russia creating "institutional arbitrage," as India engages in trade that could affect Russian oil exports [3][4] - The introduction of new LNG capacities from the U.S. and Qatar is expected to further depress oil prices, particularly as European demand is projected to decline [4]

石油软实力价值的"三重稀释压力"。一是供应端弹性释放，欧佩克联盟日闲置产能回升至420万桶（IEA数据），形成"虚拟供应储备"，削弱了地缘风险溢 价。这种产能缓冲机制实质是产油国联盟的集体软实力投射。二是需求端预期弱化，特朗普"美国优先"政策导致全球贸易强度指数持续低于基准线（WTO 数据），衍生出需求侧软实力衰减。2025年全球原油需求增速预期已下调至0.8%。三是金融端定价权转移，CME原油期货未平仓合约显示，算法交易占比 突破43%，传统地缘定价因子影响力下降。这种金融化进程正在重构石油软实力的传导路径。 复合型软实力博弈的演进趋势。一是"去武器化"进程加速，俄罗斯通过"向东看"战略构建新供应链网络，对欧出口占比从45%降至28%（俄央行数据），实 现制裁抗性的软实力升级。二是多维制衡格局形成，沙特主导的欧佩克联盟正在发展气候议题话语权，其"碳石油"战略将环保软实力与传统能源权力相结 合，形成新的价值锚点。三是弹性阈值管理，根据邓正红软实力模型，当供应过剩预期超过需求波动弹性阈值（当前为1.7:1），价格发现机制将进入非线 性震荡阶段，这正是当前市场呈现的技术特征。 美俄领导人会谈引发制裁松动预期，国际 ...

Group 1 - The core issue in the oil market is the conflict between OPEC's efforts to manage demand expectations to maintain price floors and the demand collapse risk triggered by tariff policies [3] - India's oil consumption has decreased by 0.5% year-on-year in the first seven months of the year, reflecting the impact of U.S. punitive tariffs [2][3] - OPEC has raised its forecast for global oil demand in 2026 to an increase of 1.38 million barrels per day, up from the previous estimate of 1.28 million barrels per day, driven by stronger economic activity in key regions [2] Group 2 - The geopolitical variable of the U.S.-Russia meeting could potentially lead to a loosening of sanctions, with a probability of 58% for the lifting of oil sanctions if a ceasefire agreement is reached [4] - OPEC's strategy to raise demand forecasts serves as a "demand anchoring" tactic to counter potential supply increases from geopolitical developments [4] - The current oil price volatility has decreased to 18.5%, indicating a market shift towards a "wait-and-see" balance amid ongoing tariff impacts and geopolitical tensions [5]

Core Viewpoint - The current oil market is experiencing a tug-of-war between geopolitical premiums and supply-demand imbalances, with bearish sentiment increasing as summer demand ends, and potential further pressure on oil prices if tariff stalemates or supply surpluses worsen [1][2]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The oil market is in a phase of soft power consolidation, relying on the reactivation of geopolitical premiums, while hard power remains unchanged, leading to continued volatility [1][2]. - Geopolitical events, such as attacks by Houthi forces on commercial ships, inject risk premiums into oil prices, but do not result in actual supply disruptions, with OPEC's idle capacity (approximately 5 million barrels per day) still able to buffer risks [2][3]. - The oil price fluctuation range (e.g., NY crude at $58-$72 per barrel) is driven by environmental adaptability, reflecting market adjustments to geopolitical conflicts and policy risks [2]. Group 2: Supply and Demand Factors - Non-OPEC countries are increasing supply significantly (e.g., Brazil and Iraq adding 450,000 barrels per day), outpacing demand growth, with potential daily surpluses reaching 950,000 barrels by 2025 [3]. - The end of summer demand has exacerbated bearish sentiment, with consumption weakening post-peak travel season and compounded by U.S. tariff increases, leading to a decline in oil prices of over 7% since August [3]. - The uncertainty surrounding tariff policies and supply surpluses may trigger further declines in oil prices, with daily demand potentially reduced by 150,000 to 200,000 barrels due to suppressed global trade activities [2][3].

Core Viewpoint - The macroeconomic downturn has significantly impacted risk appetite, leading to a rise in the U.S. unemployment rate to 4.2%, a substantial downward revision of new job additions, and accelerated contraction in the manufacturing sector, all contributing to increased demand for safe-haven assets and a sharp decline in oil prices [1][2][3] Economic Indicators - The U.S. unemployment rate increased by 0.1 percentage points to 4.2% in July, with non-farm payrolls adding only 73,000 jobs, falling short of the expected 110,000 [2][3] - Job additions for May and June were revised down significantly, with a total downward adjustment of 258,000 jobs [2][3] - The manufacturing PMI for July dropped to 48, below the expected 49.5 and indicating contraction for five consecutive months [3] Oil Market Dynamics - The current weakness in oil prices reflects a struggle between macroeconomic risks and supply-demand fundamentals, with macroeconomic sentiment suppressing market performance [2][3] - The oil market is facing a balance dilemma for producing countries between short-term revenue and long-term market share, with OPEC's potential production increase possibly exacerbating supply surplus [3] - The decline in oil prices is attributed to a combination of negative macroeconomic data, rising unemployment, and the impact of tariff policies, which have collectively heightened risk aversion and led to a drop in risk asset prices [1][2][3] Demand Outlook - There is a consensus that oil demand may accelerate its decline this quarter due to escalating global trade tensions and slowing economic growth, aligning with historical patterns observed during recessionary cycles [3] - The IMF has downgraded the global economic growth forecast for 2025 to 3%, further suppressing oil demand expectations [3]

Core Viewpoint - The oil market is experiencing a mixed sentiment due to improving risk appetite from trade negotiations between the US and EU, and the resumption of US-China economic talks, while uncertainties from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Western sanctions continue to suppress oil prices [1][2][3]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - US crude oil inventories have decreased overall, with diesel inventories hitting a historical low, providing market support [2][3]. - The overall commercial oil inventory in the US fell by 5.2 million barrels, with gasoline inventories down by 1.7 million barrels, while propane and propylene inventories decreased by 500,000 barrels [2][3]. - The increase in Cushing crude oil inventories to the highest level since June indicates localized pressure on prices, particularly affecting WTI [4][6]. Group 2: Geopolitical and Trade Factors - The US and EU are nearing a 15% tariff agreement, and China is set to hold economic talks with the US from July 27 to 30, which are expected to improve market sentiment [1][3]. - The EU has threatened to impose tariffs on nearly €100 billion worth of US goods if trade negotiations fail, adding to market uncertainty [2][4]. - The US-Japan trade agreement is seen as beneficial for the US economy but is not expected to significantly impact US crude oil exports [2][4]. Group 3: Soft Power Analysis - The oil market is in a consolidation phase, with external factors such as trade negotiations and geopolitical risks influencing market dynamics [3][5]. - The "environmental adaptability" factor, which includes geopolitical and trade policy risks, is currently dominating short-term market fluctuations [5][6]. - The interplay between positive market sentiment from trade optimism and negative sentiment from geopolitical uncertainties is creating a cautious trading environment [6].

Group 1 - Trade tensions are suppressing oil demand, leading to a decline in oil prices, with WTI crude oil falling to $66.21 per barrel and Brent crude oil to $68.59 per barrel [1][3] - The U.S. threatens to impose high tariffs on Russian oil buyers, with Turkey and India becoming key players in processing Russian crude for EU diesel exports, holding 14% and 11% of the EU diesel import market respectively [2][3] - The adaptability and innovation of key players like Turkish and Indian refineries are crucial in navigating potential sanctions and trade barriers [3][5] Group 2 - The soft power of oil is being hindered by current trade tensions, which disrupt the smooth flow of oil as a fundamental energy commodity [3][4] - The U.S. is leveraging its position as the largest oil and gas producer to shape the trading environment against Russia, using threats of sanctions as a geopolitical tool [4][7] - Russian oil's value realization is under threat due to the need to find new buyers and payment mechanisms, which diminishes its economic influence [4][7] Group 3 - Turkish and Indian refineries exhibit strong environmental adaptability through flexible sourcing and innovative processing techniques, which may mitigate the impact of sanctions on European diesel supply [5][6] - The U.S. is attempting to innovate its sanction strategies by targeting buyers rather than directly blocking Russian exports, which could redefine global oil trade rules [6][7] - The ongoing geopolitical conflicts may drive deeper innovations in the global energy trade system, including more regional supply chains and diverse payment systems [6][7]

Group 1 - The oil market is facing multiple challenges including structural competition and institutional rivalry, driven by the U.S. "Big and Beautiful" Act reversing clean energy policies and the EU's sanctions against Russia, which are reshaping supply chains [1][2] - Current oil soft power is influenced by various factors such as seasonal demand resilience, supply disruptions, and macroeconomic policy changes, leading to a lack of significant unilateral drivers for oil prices [3][4] - The "Big and Beautiful" Act promotes fossil fuel development, which may lead to deep disruptions in the energy sector and a reconfiguration of international energy dynamics [1][3] Group 2 - The EU's sanctions against Russia, including a ban on importing Russian oil products, aim to weaken Russia's energy supply power, although exceptions for certain countries highlight strategic compromises [3][4] - Seasonal demand remains resilient, supported by low inventory levels and strong consumption data, which helps stabilize oil prices in the medium term [3][4] - The interplay of geopolitical risk premiums, supply-demand rebalancing, and institutional innovation is driving the current volatility in oil prices, with future upward potential depending on the precision of structural adjustments and behavioral strategies [2][4]

Group 1 - The European Union has reached an agreement on the 18th round of sanctions against Russia, which includes measures to further target the Russian oil and energy industry, setting a dynamic price cap on Russian crude oil that is 15% lower than the average market price [2][4] - The market's reaction to the new sanctions has been muted, indicating skepticism among investors regarding the effectiveness of these measures and the potential for enforcement by the Trump administration [2][4] - The sanctions aim to reduce Russian oil revenues, which are a significant source of funding for the country, by lowering the price cap from $60 to $47.60 per barrel [2][4] Group 2 - Recent U.S. economic data presents a mixed picture, with a decline in single-family housing starts to an 11-month low, indicating a potential contraction in residential investment due to high mortgage rates and economic uncertainty [1][3] - Consumer confidence in the U.S. has improved, and inflation expectations continue to decline, which may lead to a Federal Reserve interest rate cut, potentially boosting energy demand [1][3] - The interplay of conflicting economic data is weakening the momentum for oil demand, as the housing market struggles while consumer sentiment shows signs of recovery [3][5] Group 3 - The effectiveness of the EU sanctions is questioned, as the design and intent to suppress Russian oil revenues may not be sufficient to alter the geopolitical landscape or energy market dynamics [4][5] - The potential for supply chain disruptions exists due to the sanctions targeting Russian oil refineries and key importing countries like India, but current models suggest that geopolitical premiums have not yet translated into price support [4][5] - The oil market is currently experiencing a phase of consolidation, with prices influenced by both oversupply concerns and geopolitical risks, reflecting a complex interplay of market sentiment and economic policies [5]

Core Insights - The article highlights that better-than-expected U.S. economic data has boosted oil demand, leading to a rise in oil prices, with retail sales increasing by 0.6% month-on-month and a significant drop in crude oil inventories by 3.9 million barrels [1][2][3] Economic Data - U.S. retail and food service sales for June reached $720.1 billion, reflecting a month-on-month increase of 0.6%, surpassing market expectations of 0.1% [1][2] - The previous month's data showed a decline of 0.9% in May [1] Oil Supply and Demand Dynamics - U.S. crude oil inventories decreased by 3.9 million barrels, significantly exceeding the forecasted drop of 552,000 barrels [1][3] - The attack on oil fields in Iraq's Kurdistan region resulted in a daily production drop of 150,000 barrels, contributing to a tightening supply situation [2][3] Geopolitical Risks - The geopolitical landscape, including U.S. trade policy uncertainties and Middle Eastern tensions, is expected to introduce volatility in the short term [2][3] - Recent events, such as Israeli attacks in Syria and drone strikes on Kurdish oil facilities, have heightened market awareness of geopolitical risks [2][3] Long-term Trends - Fossil fuels continue to account for 80% of the global energy structure, with industrialization and population growth in developing economies supporting long-term demand [4] - The current stability in oil prices is attributed to a dynamic balance of various soft power factors, including policy adjustments and geopolitical risks [4]