4 January 2026 | 2:24PM EST Commodities Research Oil Comment: Price Risks From Venezuela: Ambiguous in Short-Run But Negative in Long-Run Daan Struyven +1(212)357-4172 | daan.struyven@gs.com Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC Yulia Zhestkova Grigsby +1(646)446-3905 | yulia.grigsby@gs.com Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC Alexandra Paulus +1(212)902-7111 | alexandra.paulus@gs.com Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC Price Risks From Venezuela: Ambiguous in Short-Run But Negative in Long-Run 1 PDVSA reportedly aimed to reduce Orinoco Belt pro ...

January 4, 2026 05:00 PM GMT The Oil Manual | Europe Outlook 2026: Letting the Curve Do the Work The expected surplus arrived in 2H25 and is likely to grow larger in 1H26. Rising inventories will require a steeper contango across the entire Brent curve, putting pressure on front-month prices. However, as the long-end is likely to stay resilient, spot prices should find support in the mid/upper-50s. Key Takeaways Exhibit 1: Including oil in transit, inventories built sharply in 2025, particularly in 2H. Thes ...

Key Takeaways from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The focus is on the oil and gas industry, specifically the dynamics between Oil Services, Big Oil, and Exploration & Production (E&Ps) sectors - The preferred sector strategy is Oil Services > Big Oil > E&Ps, indicating a bullish outlook on Oil Services due to expected revenue growth and margin expansion [1][9] Core Insights and Arguments - **Brent Oil Price Forecast**: A forecast of $60 per barrel for Brent oil in 2026 is expected to create significant pressure on free cash flow (FCF) across sectors, with E&Ps facing the most strain, followed by Big Oils and then Oil Services [1][2] - **Revenue Growth**: European Oilfield Services (OFS) are projected to see a 5% year-over-year revenue growth in 2026, while Big Oils are expected to experience nearly flat production growth [1][9] - **Earnings Estimates**: The average year-over-year EBITDA growth is estimated at +5% for OFS, -4% for Big Oil, and -10% for E&Ps under the $60/bbl Brent forecast [2][9] - **Capex Trends**: Industry capital expenditures (capex) are expected to flatline, further squeezing FCF and impacting cash returns to shareholders, with Big Oil buybacks projected to decrease by nearly 25% year-over-year [2][9] Company-Specific Insights - **TotalEnergies (TTE)**: Identified as a top pick due to its resilience and undervaluation, with a breakeven oil price expected to decline through organic growth in oil and gas volumes [3][4] - **Galp**: Noted for its significant production growth, projected at over 10% in 2026, which stands out among European Big Oils [4][36] - **Saipem**: Expected to benefit from margin expansion and a strong order book, with a projected 20% year-over-year EBITDA growth in 2026 [26][28] Additional Important Insights - **E&P Sector Vulnerability**: The E&P sector is facing significant challenges, with many companies carrying high debt levels and cash flow break-evens above the $60/bbl forecast, leading to limited defensive options [24][46] - **Dividend Yields**: Some E&Ps are offering double-digit dividend yields as a form of protection against market volatility, with Ithaca Energy highlighted for its strong balance sheet and low break-even price of $45/bbl [45][46] - **Balance Sheet Pressure**: The overall balance sheet strength of Big Oils is under scrutiny, with increasing net debt levels despite asset disposals, indicating a need for more inorganic growth cushions [23][24] Conclusion - The oil and gas industry is navigating a challenging environment with a $60/bbl Brent oil price forecast, impacting cash flows and shareholder returns across sectors. Oil Services are positioned to perform better than Big Oil and E&Ps, with specific companies like TotalEnergies and Galp standing out for their growth potential and resilience.

December 2025 | Daan Struyven | Managing Director | Co-Head of Commodities Research; Head of Oil Research | | --- | --- | --- | | Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC | +1 212-357-4172 | daan.struyven@gs.com | | Yulia Z Grigsby | Vice President | Senior Commodities Strategist | | Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC | +1 917-709-0571 | yulia.grigsby@gs.com | Investors should consider this report as only a single factor in making their investment decision. For Reg AC certification and other important disclosures, see the Disclosure A ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough due diligence before making any financial decisions, particularly in the context of investments and trading activities [1] Group 1 - The content includes general news and personal analysis intended for educational and research purposes [1] - It highlights that the information provided may not be real-time or accurate, and prices may be sourced from market makers rather than exchanges [1] - The article warns that trading decisions should be made at the individual's full responsibility, and reliance on the information provided is discouraged [1] Group 2 - The website discusses complex financial instruments such as cryptocurrencies and contracts for difference (CFDs), which carry a high risk of losing money [1] - It encourages individuals to perform their own research and understand the risks involved before investing in any financial instruments [1] - The content does not constitute any recommendation or advice for taking specific actions, including investments [1]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focuses on the oil industry, specifically the impact of new US sanctions on Russian oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, which are the largest in Russia [1][4][5]. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Oil Price Reaction**: Brent and WTI oil prices increased by 5% to $66 and $62 respectively following the announcement of sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, which together account for 45% of Russia's oil exports [1][4][8]. 2. **Export Volumes**: Rosneft and Lukoil have exported approximately 3.0 million barrels per day (mb/d) year-to-date, with crude oil making up 2.2 mb/d of this total [1][8][9]. 3. **Supply-Demand Balance**: The company maintains its supply-demand balance and oil price forecast, projecting Brent/WTI prices to decline to averages of $56/52 by 2026. This forecast assumes a reduction in Russian liquids production by 0.6 mb/d by 2026 compared to 2024 levels [1][12][15]. 4. **Potential Upside Risks**: The sanctions could lead to additional upside risks to oil prices, particularly if Russian supply decreases significantly. In scenarios where Russian supply falls by 1.5 mb/d, Brent prices could peak at nearly $85 before averaging $73 in 2026 [1][27][30]. 5. **Factors Mitigating Impact**: The potential impact of sanctions on global oil imports may be limited due to: - Possible exemptions for importers [15][17]. - Continued purchases of discounted Russian oil [15][17]. - Reorganization of trade networks following previous sanctions [15][18]. - Increased production from OPEC to stabilize the market [15][18]. 6. **Temporary Nature of Reductions**: The reduction in Russian oil purchases may be temporary if peace negotiations progress or if energy affordability becomes a higher priority for Western policymakers [1][22][24]. Additional Important Insights 1. **Market Pricing Adjustments**: The crude market has adjusted to reflect a nearly 60 percentage point increase in the likelihood of a significant disruption in Russian oil supply [2][34]. 2. **Production Estimates**: Rosneft and Lukoil's total liquids production is estimated at approximately 4.6 mb/d year-to-date, indicating a significant portion of their output is still operational despite sanctions [11][12]. 3. **Regional Production Distribution**: About 70% of the combined crude volumes from Rosneft and Lukoil are produced in regions with both domestic and export outlets, which may help mitigate the impact of sanctions [36]. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call regarding the implications of US sanctions on Russian oil producers and the broader oil market dynamics.

Summary of Global Oil Market Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focused on the global oil market, particularly the dynamics of supply and demand, OPEC+ production, and price forecasts for Brent and WTI crude oil. Key Points Supply and Demand Dynamics - The global oil market is expected to move towards a larger surplus through 1Q26 due to seasonally weak demand and robust supply, with the IEA forecasting a 4Q25 surplus of 3.6 million barrels per day (Mb/d) and the EIA forecasting 2.6 Mb/d [2][3] - The market is projected to be oversupplied by 1.5 Mb/d in 4Q25, 2.4 Mb/d in 1Q26, and 1.7 Mb/d on average in 2026, indicating a looser market than previously anticipated [2][18] OPEC+ Production - OPEC+ output increased by 880 thousand barrels per day (kb/d) month-over-month in September, with Saudi Arabia contributing 550 kb/d to this increase [5][90] - The total increase from the eight countries adhering to voluntary cuts was 920 kb/d, significantly above the planned increase of 272 kb/d [5][90] - OPEC+ supply growth is projected at 1.2 Mb/d for 2025 and 0.7 Mb/d for 2026, with expectations of a full unwinding of the 1.65 Mb/d voluntary cuts by September 2026 [5][94] Non-OPEC+ Supply Growth - Non-OPEC+ supply growth was stronger than expected in 3Q25, with the EIA raising its forecasts to 1.8 Mb/d for 2025 and 1.0 Mb/d for 2026 [4][39] - US rig activity showed a slight rebound, supporting crude output stability, with US supply growth revised up to 0.6 Mb/d for 2025 [4][49] Demand Forecasts - Demand growth estimates were mixed, with the IEA lowering its 2025 growth estimate to 0.7 Mb/d, while the EIA raised it to 1.1 Mb/d [3][32] - UBS maintains its demand growth forecasts at 0.9 Mb/d for 2025 and 1.1 Mb/d for 2026, reflecting weaker-than-expected actuals in 3Q25 [27][60] Price Forecasts - Brent prices are expected to remain in the low-$60s in the near term, with potential upside scenarios driven by supply disruptions, particularly in Russia, which could lift prices back into the $70/bbl range [9][10] - Conversely, downside scenarios could see Brent prices drop below $60/bbl due to ongoing OPEC+ production increases and a potential global economic slowdown [11][12] Inventory Trends - Global inventories have been on an upward trajectory, with an increase of approximately 340 million barrels between January and September 2025, corresponding to an average of 1.2 Mb/d [67] - The IEA projects an accelerated rate of inventory build-up, with global stocks expected to increase at a pace of 1.5 Mb/d in 4Q25 [67] Geopolitical Factors - Geopolitical risks, particularly concerning Iran and Russia, have supported oil prices, but the market is under greater pressure from growing excess supply [56][65] - The ongoing tariff dispute between the US and China poses uncertainties for global economic growth, which could impact oil demand [60][63] Additional Insights - The impact of electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to slow down gasoline demand growth over time, with a projected replacement of 4.3 Mb/d of oil for passenger vehicles globally by 2030 [75] - US gasoline demand in 3Q25 was approximately 1% lower than the previous year, indicating a potential shift in consumption patterns [76] This summary encapsulates the critical insights from the conference call, highlighting the current state and future outlook of the global oil market.

Group 1: Oil Price Outlook - Occidental Petroleum CEO Vicki Hollub expects oil prices to remain steady between $58 and $62 per barrel through 2026, with stronger gains anticipated in the longer term [1] - Hollub remains bullish on oil prices, indicating that supply constraints could tighten the market after 2026 [1][4] Group 2: U.S. Oil Production and Strategic Plans - Hollub projected that U.S. oil production will likely peak between 2027 and 2030, suggesting a potential shift in global supply dynamics later in the decade [2] - As part of Occidental's five-year strategic plan, the company aims to more than double its share price through debt reduction and disciplined capital management [2] Group 3: Recent Company Developments - The sale of Occidental's OxyChem chemical division for $9.7 billion to Berkshire Hathaway is part of a broader effort to strengthen the company's balance sheet [2] - Following the OxyChem sale, Occidental's shares experienced a 7.5% drop, marking one of the largest declines on the S&P 500 during a recent energy sector pullback [3] - Analysts at Evercore ISI have adjusted their price target for Occidental from $40 to $38, citing near-term concerns about capital structure while acknowledging the company's longer-term financial flexibility [3] Group 4: Market Confidence - Despite short-term turbulence, Hollub's comments reflect confidence in Occidental's fundamentals and a long-term bullish stance on oil markets, a sentiment shared by several industry peers [4]

Summary of the Oil Market Analysis Industry Overview - The analysis focuses on the oil industry, particularly the dynamics surrounding OPEC+ production decisions and global oil supply and demand forecasts. Key Points and Arguments OPEC+ Production Decisions - OPEC+ has decided to raise required production by 0.14 million barrels per day (mb/d) for November, consistent with previous expectations [2][10] - The group remains focused on market conditions, indicating a cautious approach to production increases [10] Price Forecasts - The Brent/WTI price forecast remains unchanged at $64/$60 for Q4 2025 and $56/$52 for 2026 [2][18] - The forecast suggests that strong supply will likely lead to lower oil prices over the next year [18] Supply and Demand Dynamics - A global oil surplus is expected to average 2.0 mb/d from Q4 2025 to Q4 2026, driven by a 4.1 mb/d increase in global supply [2][21] - Global demand growth has been nudged up to 1.0 mb/d for both 2025 and 2026, reflecting stronger demand forecasts [35] Global Supply Changes - The increase in global supply is attributed to record-high US crude and natural gas liquids (NGL) production, alongside an upgrade in Iraq's supply, which offsets a downgrade in Russian production [26][30] - US crude and NGL supply reached all-time highs in July 2025, with a smaller expected decline of 0.3 mb/d by December 2026 [27] OECD Stock Builds - OECD commercial stocks are expected to absorb over 30% of the global builds in 2025-2026, with a projected increase of 0.65 mb/d [45] - The analysis indicates that the pace of builds in global stocks is accelerating, which is expected to impact oil prices negatively [51] Price Risk Assessment - Risks to the price forecast are two-sided but skewed modestly to the upside, particularly due to potential declines in Russian production [56][61] - Scenarios include a potential drop in Russian supply to 8.5 mb/d by December 2026, which could raise Brent/WTI prices to $70/$66 [57] Conclusion - The analysis suggests that while the oil market is currently stable, various factors, including OPEC+ production decisions, global supply dynamics, and geopolitical risks, could significantly influence future price movements and market conditions [56][61] Additional Important Insights - The report highlights the importance of monitoring global visible stock builds, which have accelerated recently, indicating potential shifts in supply-demand balance [4][12] - The analysis also emphasizes the role of geopolitical factors, particularly concerning Russian production and its impact on global oil prices [30][34]

Core Viewpoint - The content emphasizes the importance of conducting personal due diligence and consulting competent advisors before making any financial decisions, particularly in the context of investments and trading activities [1]. Group 1 - The website provides general news, personal analysis, and third-party content intended for educational and research purposes [1]. - It explicitly states that the information does not constitute any recommendation or advice for investment actions [1]. - Users are advised to perform their own research and consider their financial situation before making decisions [1]. Group 2 - The website includes information about complex financial instruments such as cryptocurrencies and contracts for difference (CFDs), which carry a high risk of losing money [1]. - It encourages users to understand how these instruments work and the associated risks before investing [1].