Oil Prices

[specuvestor]

^^ Think it's a pretty opportune time for China to build up her strategic reserves while reducing USD reserve as RMB internationalises ie swapping USD bundles into oil barrels

It's about delta. The low cost shale will continue to pump but new capacity will be limited. The growth of shale has plateau if oil stays below US$80 WTI. Business investments don't start and go based on what is oil price is tomorrow and next week. The uncertain outlook for oil to move back above US$100 is likely to crimp the whoole space for next 12 months at least.

GCC will be hurt by the lower oil price but their main expenditure is capex which actually can be deferred. US startegic interest will be hurt as their ambition to be energy sufficient with shale will be delayed, if ever.

Biggest beneficiary is actually China but net net I think the GCC and US had come to an agreement that this is a worthwhile tradeoff vs the global political outcome.

OPEC is important because they are major exporter. US is important because they are major importer. There is a difference. And China is major player increasingly

A bit ironic that I was championing shale more than a year ago in this forum when people were still skeptical but when people are fearful now i am saying shale production likely plateau if oil price remains $80 WTI or below