Articles Tagged "ConocoPhillips"

Temporary Oil Production Delays and Cold Temperatures Impact Prices

The Trans Alaska Pipeline was shut down on Saturday following the discover of a leak at an intake pump station at Prudhoe Bay, constricting supply in one of the United States' key oil arteries. Cold weather in the Northeast during December translated into 5 consecutive stock draws in the Central Atlantic, while New England stocks fluctuated during the month.

Advantage: Crude

Even as investors are mulling mixed signals over crude supply numbers from the Energy Information Administration, there are clear indications that the Gulf state leaders have no plans to stop pricing oil in dollars. The rumour had traders hitting the panic button.

Buyers To Buy If Prices Weaken

If bearish sentiment continues for a bit, expect to see a potential break below support levels around $67.35. Further declines in shipping rates due to reduced Chinese demand can be expected to continue, highlighted by expectations for a 50 per cent drop in freight rates in the next four months.

Benchmark: Focus on Ike and Nigeria

Though ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) and Placid Refining Company are both receiving hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude from America’s federal reserves to continue refinery operations, and two rigs in the Gulf have been knocked adrift, the overall impact of Ike appears fairly benevolent to energy companies.

Benchmark: August 11

At this point, there are much more pressing threats to the pipeline’s continued functioning. A long simmering dispute between Georgia and Russia over the disputed South Ossetia region erupted into war. Reports on Monday morning confirmed that Russian forces had pressed along the Greater Liakhvi River, beginning to enter the city of Gori.