Topline
Oil prices have continued to skyrocket this week—with Brent crude briefly rising above $100 per barrel for the first time since 2014—as Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, and although prices moderated somewhat Friday, experts warn that it could rise to more than $130 amid the fallout from the conflict.
Key Facts
Oil prices are sitting near seven-year highs after a two-month rally amid fears that the escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine will cause severe global supply disruptions.
As Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, the price of European benchmark Brent crude spiked to $105 per barrel—up 47% since December 20 to its highest level since July 2014, while U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude surged 47% over the same period to $100 per barrel—with analysts now warning that prices could skyrocket much further.
Oil prices could hit $125 per barrel by this summer, according to a note from Goldman Sachs analysts on Friday, who predict that the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as well as “uncertainty around potential sanctions,” could create a “supply shock” in global energy markets, which are already in tight supply.
With the conflict set to jeopardize global supplies, Brent crude prices could “approach $130 per barrel by June” and that estimate “could soar higher if additional disruptions materialize,” Louise Dickson, senior oil market analyst at Rystad Energy, similarly argues in a recent note.
JPMorgan recently predicted that if Russian oil and natural gas exports decline as a result of the conflict, Brent crude could average $115 per barrel during the second quarter of 2022, before falling back below $100 by the end of the year.
Oil prices moderated somewhat on Friday, however, in large part because the United States and other Western allies have so far been reluctant to target Russia with tough energy sanctions, as it is the world’s second-largest oil producer and a major natural gas provider for Europe.
Crucial Quote:
“I don’t want to say it depends, but it really does depend,” says Simon Wong, research analyst at Gabelli Funds. “Will the U.S. and Europe sanction Russian oil? Will there be a coordinated strategic petroleum reserve release by the U.S. and IEA if they do sanction?” If Russian energy markets are sanctioned by the West, and there is no coordinated strategic release of reserves by the U.S. and its allies, “then $150 oil or even higher is not out of the question,” he says.
Tangent:
“The oil market still remains very tight and will likely see wild swings as energy traders await outcomes for both Russian and Iranian crude supplies,” says Edward Moya, who thinks oil prices could rise to as much as $120 per barrel in the next few weeks.
What To Watch For:
Traders have also been keeping an eye on developments around a potential nuclear deal between the United States and Iran. If an agreement is reached, that could bring more oil back to global markets, with Iran estimated to have some 80 million barrels of crude oil in reserve. Though JPMorgan analysts predict a decline in Russian energy exports due to the escalating conflict with Ukraine, they also think an Iran deal will come to fruition, which could help offset lost supply. Under this best-case scenario, they see Brent crude averaging $110 per barrel in the second quarter and falling to $90 by the end of 2022.
Further Reading:
Dow Jumps 800 Points After Russia Says It’s Open To Talks With Ukraine (Forbes)
Nasdaq Briefly Falls Into Bear Market But Stocks Rebound After Russia Invades Ukraine (Forbes)
