Chevron To Ramp Up Large Projects, Kazakhstan Will Not Allow Downturn To Effect Their Projects

"Chevron to Buck Downturn with Major Project Developments"
Chevron says it is well positioned in 2009 with a strong balance sheet and numerous projects coming on stream. The company expects new project start ups and continued ramp ups to contribute production of 650,000 barrels per day....Complete Story

"Kashagan Production Still Scheduled for 2012"
The economic downturn will not affect the development of Kazakhstan's Kashagan oil field, said a Shell executive. First production is still scheduled for the fourth quarter 2012....Complete Story

"U.S. Lowers Forecast for 2009 Global Oil Demand as Recession Cuts Fuel Use"
The U.S. reduced its forecast for 2009 global crude oil consumption for the sixth month in a row as the economic slowdown cuts fuel purchases....Complete Story

"OPEC Needs 100% Quota Compliance Before Further Cuts, Qatar's Attiyah Says"
OPEC, supplier of about 40 percent of the world’s oil, needs full compliance with production quotas before discussing a further reduction in output, Qatar’s oil minister said....Complete Story

Crude Oil Bulls Extend The Rally, First Resistance Now $48.83

April crude oil was steady to higher overnight as it extends last week's rally.

Stochastics and the RSI are becoming overbought but remain bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If April extends the rally, the reaction high crossing at $50.88 is the next upside target.

Closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at $42.39 would confirm that a short term top has been posted.

First resistance is Monday's high crossing at $48.83.

Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at $50.88.

First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at $44.30.

Second support is the 20 day moving average crossing at $42.39.

4:30 PM ET. Mar 6 API Oil Industry Report

............Crude Stocks (Net Change) (previous -463K)

............Gasoline Stocks (Net Change) (previous -642K)

............Distillate Stocks (Net Change) (previous +1.6M)

............Refinery Runs (previous 83.5%)

Oil Market Winners and Losers

Winners

Infinity 42.86%
Input/Output 40.66%
Stone Energy 24.86%
McMoRan Exploration 15.09%
Brigham Exploration 9.65%

Losers

TETRA Technologies -13.73%
FX Energy -12.70%
Allis-Chalmers Energy -11.54%
Pioneer Drilling -8.64%
Quicksilver Resources -8.05%

Change based on the last 2 days of trading

Crude Oil Rally Continues, Next Upside Target Is $47.99

April crude oil closed higher on Monday as it extends the rally off February's low.

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

Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If April extends this month's rally, February's high crossing at $47.99 is the next upside target.

Closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at $42.30 would temper the near term friendly outlook in the market.

First resistance is today's high crossing at $48.83.

Second resistance is the reaction's high crossing at $47.99.

First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at $43.53.

Second support is the 20 day moving average crossing at $42.31.

Oil Climbs On Speculation Of OPEC Cuts, Oil Companies Struggling To Limit Lay Offs

"Oil Climbs to Two Month High on Speculation OPEC Will Cut Output Further"
Crude oil rose to a two month high in New York on speculation the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will decide to reduce output when ministers gather in Vienna on March 15....Complete Story

"Oil Industry Strives to Limit Its Layoffs"
As oil companies cut costs amid slumping energy prices, they are determined not to repeat the mistakes of the 1980s oil bust, when mass layoffs left the industry ill prepared for the eventual rebound....Complete Story

"Oil at $50 Looms Amid Prospects for More Restictions on OPEC Production"
OPEC’s record production cuts are draining the glut in world oil markets, leading traders to bet that $50 crude is two months away....Complete Story

"OPEC: Current Oil Prices Cannot Guarantee Future Market Stability"
OPEC is expected to lower production at its upcoming meeting. The OPEC Secretary General recently reported that the current excessively low oil prices cannot guarantee its long term stability in the crude market....Complete Story

Crude Oil Higher Overnight, Remains Above 20 Day Moving Average

April crude oil was higher overnight as it extends last week's breakout above the 20 day moving average crossing at $42.30.

Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If April extends the rally, February's high crossing at $47.99 is the next upside target.

Closes below last Tuesday's low crossing at $39.44 are needed to confirm that a short term top has been posted.

First resistance is the overnight high crossing at $47.03.

Second resistance is February's high crossing at $47.99.

First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at $43.52.

Second support is the 20 day moving average crossing at $42.30.

Crude Oil Closes Higher, Set For A Possible Higher Opening On Monday

April crude oil closed higher on Friday and is poised to extend the rally off February's low.

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

Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If April extends Wednesday's rally, February's high crossing at $47.99 is the next upside target.

Closes below Tuesday's low crossing at $39.44 would temper the near-term friendly outlook in the market.

First resistance is Wednesday's high crossing at $45.76.

Second resistance is the reaction's high crossing at $47.99.

First support is the 20 day moving average crossing at $42.28.

Second support is Tuesday's low crossing at $39.44.

Oil and Commodities Higher On Weakening Dollar, Petrobras Expects A Jump In Profits

"Crude Oil Advances as the Dollar Weakens, Increasing Appeal of Commodities"
Crude oil in New York rose as the U.S. dollar weakened against the euro, bolstering the appeal of commodities as an alternative investment....Complete Story

"Exxon CEO's Meetings with Obama Constructive"
ExxonMobil Chief Executive Rex Tillerson said Thursday that meetings with President Barack Obama and other government officials to discuss energy policy had been "cordial" and "constructive"....Complete Story

"Oil Might Reach $60 Should OPEC Cut Production, BlueGold Hedge Fund Says"
Oil may rise 35 percent to $60 a barrel should OPEC agree to cut production this month, according to BlueGold Capital Management LLP....Complete Story

"Nicaragua Inks New Offshore Exploration Deal"
Nicaragua has signed an exploration and production agreement with Infinity Energy Resources for two separate licenses in the Caribbean Sea....Complete Story

"Petrobras May Report a 24% Jump in Profit on Slumping Real, Survey Shows"
Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Brazil’s state-controlled oil company, may say fourth-quarter profit rose 24 percent to 6.26 billion reais ($2.64 billion) after a slumping real boosted the value of the company’s dollar assets....Complete Story

Crude Oil Pushing To Rally Friday Morning Along Side Equities

April crude oil was higher overnight as it consolidates above the 20 day moving average crossing at $42.23.

Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If April extends Wednesday's rally, February's high crossing at $47.99 is the next upside target.

Closes below Tuesday's low crossing at $39.44 are needed to confirm that a short term top has been posted.

First resistance is Wednesday's high crossing at $45.70.

Second resistance is February's high crossing at $47.99.

First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at $42.60.

Second support is Tuesday's low crossing at $39.44.

Crude Oil Closes Lower On Profit Taking, Higher Prices Possible Near Term

April crude oil closed lower on Thursday due to profit taking as it consolidated some of Wednesday's rally.

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

Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If April extends Wednesday's rally, February's high crossing at $47.99 is the next upside target.

Closes below Tuesday's low crossing at $39.44 would temper the near term friendly outlook in the market.

First resistance is Wednesday's high crossing at $45.76.

Second resistance is the reaction's high crossing at $47.99.

First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at $42.12.

Second support is Tuesday's low crossing at $39.44.