(Bloomberg) -- Oil fell as rising gasoline stockpiles in the US signaled a shaky picture for demand, undercutting the effect of output disruptions in Libya. Traders weighed rising tensions in the Middle East against data showing US gasoline inventories swelling the most since in three decades and implied demand dropping to a yearly low. Still, the unrest in the Middle East is diverting attention from weak near-term fundamentals, contributing to greater upside potential than downside risk, he said. A renewed focus on geopolitics, both in the Middle East and Libya, is showing the potential to reintroduce a conflict premium for oil. Crude fell by about a fifth in the previous quarter as rising production from non-OPEC+ sources, including the US, threatened to outstrip demand.

Oil futures: Prices lower after huge builds in US product inventoriesQuantum Commodity Intelligence – Crude oil futures Thursday were trading lower following another choppy session, as markets rowed back from earlier highs after US data revealed a sharp build in reserves of refined products. For gasoline, it was the highest weekly build in three decades, although oil prices were already off from the day's highs prior to the EIA data release. Oil prices had sparked into life on Wednesday following reports that Libya's 300,000 bpd El Sharara field was shut following renewed protests that started the previous day. But so far the decision to divert away from the Red Sea has not had a huge impact on oil prices, with benchmarks broadly drifting lower since the latest wave of attacks started prior to the holiday season. InventoriesEarlier in the session, crude prices were neutral after data from the American Petroleum Institute revealed that crude inventories tumbled by 7.4 million barrels last week, beating forecasts for a drop of 3 million barrels.

As the Libya Energy & Economic Summit prepares for its second edition on January 13-14, 2024, Robert Abela, Prime Minister of Malta, is confirmed to speak at the transformative event, reflecting the growing interest of European countries in Libya’s energy prospects. Following growing cooperation between Libya and Malta, Prime Minister Abela is expected to discuss trade and commercial ties between the two countries and explore the feasibility of a proposed renewable energy interconnector project. The Prime Minister will also be accompanied by Dr. Miriam Dalli, Maltese Minister of Environment, Energy and Enterprise, who will participate in a panel on renewable power and its role in supporting Libya’s broader economic growth. The Libya Energy & Economic Summit returns for its second edition in Tripoli on January 13-14, 2024 under the theme, A New Libya: Built on Energy. The historic event is poised to explore and unlock partnership and investment opportunities within Libya’s dynamic energy sector.

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Crude oil prices received additional support from the Weekly Crude Oil Stock data released by the American Petroleum Institute (API) on Wednesday. Moreover, anticipation builds as the Energy Information Administration (EIA) is set to release the US Crude Oil Stocks Change on Thursday. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) price trades higher near $73.00 per barrel during the Asian session on Thursday. Furthermore, disruptions at an oilfield in Libya are contributing to the strengthening of Crude oil prices. The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

The Sharara oil field is managed by Spain's Repsol, France's TotalEnergies, Austria's OMV, and Norway's Equinor. Libya's National Oil Company (NOC) did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Protesters shut down production at Al-Sharara oilfield over shortage of fuel in Libya’s southern region of Fezzan. The #Libya Update pic.twitter.com/ow5USF8pwl— The Libya Update (@TheLibyaUpdate) January 2, 2024The Sharara field, one of Libya's largest, has been a frequent target for local and broader political protests. Libya's oil output has been disrupted repeatedly in the chaotic decade since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising against Muammar Gaddafi.

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LCO 0.00% Add to/Remove from Watchlist CL -0.10% Add to/Remove from WatchlistInvesting.com -- Oil prices rose Thursday, adding to the previous session’s gains on increased concerns over the potential for supply disruptions from the crucial Middle East region. By 09:25 ET (14.25 GMT), the futures traded 0.8% higher at $73.25 a barrel and the contract climbed 0.5% to $78.66 a barrel. Risk of supply disruptions risesBoth contracts surged around 3% on Wednesday after protests over high fuel prices caused Libya’s El Sahara oil field to halt production, with the field producing about 300,000 barrels per day. A survey by the news agency points to the group’s output falling by a marginal 40,000 barrels a day in December month-on-month. “Given that some OPEC+ members agreed on additional voluntary cuts of almost 900,000 bbls/d for 1Q24, OPEC output will edge lower this month,” analysts at ING said, in a note.

Investing.com -- Oil prices rose Thursday, adding to the previous session’s gains on increased concerns over the potential for supply disruptions from the crucial Middle East region. Risk of supply disruptions risesBoth contracts surged around 3% on Wednesday after protests over high fuel prices caused Libya’s El Sahara oil field to halt production, with the field producing about 300,000 barrels per day. Tensions are growing in the Middle East, and although supply from this crucial region has yet to be seriously impacted traders are beginning to add a premium given the growing possibility that this occurs. “Given that some OPEC+ members agreed on additional voluntary cuts of almost 900,000 bbls/d for 1Q24, OPEC output will edge lower this month,” analysts at ING said, in a note. Related ArticlesOil prices rise again on increased chance of disruptions to Middle East supplyOil steadies as Middle East supply worries balance economy concernsGold slips below $2,050 as dollar rebounds amid Fed uncertainty

China stocks remained under pressure, with uncertainties about a recovery in the world’s second-biggest economy keeping investors on the fence. Krosby said in an email the minutes underscored an “uncertain” policy path suggesting expectations for a rate cut in March may need to be ratcheted down further. Goldman Sachs analysts though still expect the first rate cut in March and five total cuts in the year, calling the comments in the minutes dovish. Fed officials in December predicted 75 bps of rate cuts in 2024, driving money-market bets for around double that amount amid market optimism that spurred a year-end rally in stocks and bonds. Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields briefly climbed above 4% on Wednesday before heading lower and were last at 3.920% in Asian hours.

SpaceX launched the first six Starlink satellites with direct to cell capabilities in its first mission of 2024 on Tuesday evening. SpaceX and partner T-Mobile say the service will provide coverage in cellular dead zones in the most remote locations. The first six direct to cell satellites will first be used to test the service in the United States, Jessie Anderson, SpaceX structures engineering manager said during the Jan. 2 webcast. This capability will first enable text messaging, and then voice and data coverage will follow after more satellites are launched. The Starlink satellites use partner spectrum to operate the service over their respective countries.

Oil futures: Crude extends gains on Libya outages, Red Sea turmoilQuantum Commodity Intelligence – Crude oil futures in European trading hours Thursday were climbing higher as markets consolidated the previous session's firm gains of over 3%, which came after protests in Libya shut in output at the county's largest oil field. Front-month Mar24 ICE Brent futures were trading at $78.96/b (1230 GMT), compared to Wednesday's settle of $78.25/b. The threats to Libyan output add to the wider Middle East turmoil, with the security situation in and around the Red Sea deteriorating and forcing many ships, including oil and LNG tankers, to divert around the southern African coast. InventoriesCrude prices were neutral after data from the American Petroleum Institute revealed that crude inventories tumbled by 7.4 million barrels last week, beating forecasts for a drop of 3 million barrels. But the drop in crude stocks was more than offset by the products sector, with gasoline inventories up 6.9 million barrels and distillate stocks adding 6.7 million barrels to deliver a net build.

Investing.com-- Oil prices rose slightly in Asian trade on Thursday, extending strong gains from the prior session as the shutdown of Libya’s biggest oilfield fueled more concerns over tight supplies. The shutdown came amid continued disruptions to shipping activity in the Red Sea, which markets feared could disrupt global oil supplies. Disruptions to Middle Eastern crude supply were a key point of support for oil prices in recent sessions, particularly on the grounds that they could result in tighter global oil markets in 2024. But the data also showed an outsized build in gasoline and distillate stocks, indicating that U.S. fuel demand remained weak. Protests over high fuel prices caused Libya’s El Sahara oil field to halt production, with the field producing about 300,000 barrels per day.

Jan 3 (Reuters) - Libya's oil protests forced a partial reduction in the oil production at Libya's Sharara oilfield, which produces 300,000 barrels per day, two engineers told Reuters on Wednesday. (Reporting by Ayman Werfalli in Benghazi, writing by Yomna Ehab and Louise Heavens)((yomna.ehab@thomsonreuters.com;))The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Oil rose more than 3% on Wednesday as the U.S. warned Houthi militants against further attacks in the Red Sea and OPEC pledged to remain united in supporting prices. This comes a day after Danish shipping giant Maersk halted all shipping through the Red Sea until further notice due to repeated Houthi attacks on vessels. German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd confirmed Wednesday that it would continue to avoid the Red Sea. Oil prices have been volatile this week, with U.S. crude and the global benchmark settling more than 1% lower on Tuesday despite Maersk's decision to continue avoiding the Red Sea due to attacks by the Houthis. OPEC and its allies issued a statement Wednesday pledging to remain united in the group's "efforts to maintain oil market stability going forward."