Crude Oil Closes Higher But Remains Bearish Near Term

March crude oil closed sharply higher due to short covering on Friday as it consolidated some of this week's decline.

Stochastics and the RSI are oversold but remain neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term.

If March extends this week's decline psychological support crossing at $30.00 is the next downside target.

The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Tuesday.

Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at $40.82 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted.

Closes above the reaction high crossing at $48.59 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted.

First resistance is the 10 day moving average crossing at $38.67.

Second resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at $40.82.

First support is Thursday's low crossing at $33.55.

Second support is psychological support crossing at $30.00.

IEA Projects Higher Oil Prices On Projected OPEC Cuts

"New OPEC Cut Would Push Oil Prices Higher-IEA"
If OPEC decides to cut oil production levels again at its March meeting, that would further tighten global petroleum supplies and put upward pressure on oil prices, the head of the International Energy Agency said on Friday. "Our current projection suggests that (world oil supplies are) tightening, and a further (OPEC) cut.....Complete Story

"Crude Oil Surges on Speculation Plunge Earlier This Week Was Unjustified"
Crude oil rose the most in three weeks on speculation that a 9.6 percent drop in prices this week was larger than justified as governments implement stimulus programs....Complete Story

"Norwegian Oil Firm Goes to Energy's Last Frontier"
A Norwegian oil company has gone to the ends of the earth to get at some of the world's last untapped energy resources....Complete Story

"OPEC Members Carry Out 65% of Production Cuts So Far"
Members of OPEC have implemented nearly two-thirds of the production cuts of 4.2 million barrels per day that they agreed to last September, an OPEC report showed Friday....Complete Story

Crude Oil Slightly Higher Overnight On Short Covering

March crude oil was steady to slightly higher overnight due to short covering as it consolidates some of this week's decline.

Stochastics and the RSI are oversold but remain bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term.

If March extends the decline, psychological support crossing at $30.00 is the next downside target.

Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at $40.66 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted.

Closes above the reaction high crossing at $48.59 are needed to confirm that a trend change has taken place.

First resistance is the 10 day moving average crossing at $38.36.

Second resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at $40.66.

First support is Thursday's low crossing at $33.55.

Second support is psychological support crossing at $30.00.

Crude Oil Remains Oversold, Signals Bearish Prices Near Term

March crude oil closed lower on Thursday as it extends this week's decline and closed below psychological support crossing at $35.00.

If March extends this week's decline psychological support crossing at $30.00 is the next downside target.

The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Friday.

Stochastics and the RSI are oversold but remain neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term.

Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at $41.14 would confirm that a short term low has been posted.

Closes above the reaction high crossing at $48.59 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted.

First resistance is the 10 day moving average crossing at $39.12.

Second resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at $41.14.

First support is today's low crossing at $33.85.

Second support is psychological support crossing at $30.00.

Total Beats Estimates and Eni Sells Livorno Refinery

"Total Beats Profit Estimates, Will Maintain Investment Spending in 2009"
Total SA, Europe’s third largest oil company, reported fourth quarter earnings that beat analyst estimates and pledged to maintain investment spending at a similar level to last year to revive production growth....Complete Story

"Api Said to Join Investors in Offering to Buy Eni's Livornro Oil Refinery"
Anonima Petroli Italiana SpA, an Italian gas station company, together with a group of investors, has made an offer to buy an Eni SpA refinery in Livorno, Italy, said Enrico Risaliti, a businessman who is part of the bid....Complete Story

"Unconventional Gas Boosts Outlook for Future Supply"
CERA has augmented its expectations for North American gas supply in the wake of successful unconventional gas production....Complete Story

"Shell Declares Force Majeure on Nigeria Bonny Oil"
Royal Dutch Shell declared force majeure on its Nigerian Bonny oil shipments due to insecurity in the Niger Delta....Complete Story

Crude Oil Testing First Support At $35.18

March crude oil was lower overnight as it extends this week's decline below December's low crossing at $38.00.

Stochastics and the RSI are oversold but remain bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term.

If March extends the decline, psychological support crossing at $35.00 is the next downside target.

Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at $41.20 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted.

Closes above the reaction high crossing at $48.59 are needed to confirm that a trend change has taken place.

First resistance is the 10 day moving average crossing at $39.26.

Second resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at $41.20.

First support is the overnight low crossing at $35.18.

Second support is psychological support crossing at $35.00.

Crude Oil Set To Open Lower On Thursday

March crude oil closed lower on Wednesday confirming yesterday's breakout below December's low crossing at $38.00.

The stage is set for a test of psychological support crossing at $35.00.

The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Thursday.

Stochastics and the RSI are oversold but remain neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term.

Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at $41.65 would temper the near term bearish outlook in the market.

Closes above the reaction high crossing at $48.59 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted.

First resistance is the 10 day moving average crossing at $39.88.

Second resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at $41.65.

First support is today's low crossing at $35.65.

Second support is psychological support crossing at $35.00.

IEA Cuts Demand Forecast and Saudi Arabia Doubles Spare Capacity

"Big Oil Leaders Bet on Long Term Energy Growth"
Touting an optimistic message, some Big Oil executives insist that long-term growth in energy demand remains unchanged....Complete Story

"Nigerian Oil Workers Mull Full Scale, Nationwide Strike"
Two main oil workers' unions are insisting on a full scale, nationwide strike against insecurity in the Niger Delta....Complete Story

"IEA Cuts 2009 Oil Demand Forecast on Recession, Sees 1 Million-Barrel Drop"
The International Energy Agency cut its global oil demand forecast for 2009, projecting consumption will decline by 1 million barrels a day as the worldwide recession deepens, the biggest drop since 1982....Complete Story

"Saudi Arabia to More Than Double Spare Capacity by Mid-Year"
Al-Naimi Says Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, will more than double its spare capacity by the middle of the year to 4.5 million barrels a day as it brings....Complete Story

Stock Market Winners and Losers

Winners

Magellan Petroleum 18.03%
Boots & Coots International Well Control 9.17%
Comstock Resources 1.34%
ICO 0.42%
Edge Petroleum 0.00%

Losers

TETRA Technologies -28.05%
Energy Partners -19.30%
Meridian Resource -18.18%
Stone Energy -11.98%
Parallel Petroleum -11.64%

Change based on the last 2 days of trading

Crude Oil Breaks Through $38 Support

March crude oil was slightly higher overnight due to short covering as it consolidates some of Tuesday's decline but remains below broken support marked by December's low crossing at $38.00.

Stochastics and the RSI are oversold but remain bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term.

If March extends the decline, psychological support crossing at $35.00 is the next downside target.

Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at $41.74 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted.

Closes above the reaction high crossing at $48.59 are needed to confirm that a trend change has taken place.

First resistance is the 10 day moving average crossing at $40.06.

Second resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at $41.74.

First support is Tuesday's low crossing at $37.35.

Second support is psychological support crossing at $35.00.