Supply pressures intensified following reports from Russia indicating that its oil production in December fell below its OPEC+ output target. The decline was attributed to a sharp reduction in seaborne exports, which reached their lowest levels since August 2023.
Unlike the Specially Designated Nationals list, a DOD blacklist carries no specific penalties. However, the department discouraged US firms from dealing with these companies, which would result in higher operational costs
In the US, the world’s largest economy, new orders for manufactured goods decreased in November, and business investment in equipment appeared to slow in the fourth quarter, signalling potential weaknesses in the industrial sector.
The upward momentum was fuelled by forecasts of lower temperatures in key markets, which amplified demand for heating oil, offering short-term price support. Additionally, geopolitical concerns over tightening sanctions prompted buyers to realign supply chains