Annual Energy Outlook 2012.....Three Cases for the Future of World Oil Prices

The Annual Energy Outlook 2012 (AEO2012) presents three alternative paths for world oil prices based on different production and economic assumptions. Among these cases, the real (constant 2010 dollars) oil price in 2035 ranges from $62 per barrel in the Low Oil Price case to $200 per barrel in the High Oil Price case, with the Reference case at $145 per barrel.

The oil price in AEO2012 is defined as the average price of light, low-sulfur crude oil delivered to Cushing, Oklahoma, which is similar to the price for light, sweet crude oil traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange (West Texas Intermediate, or WTI).



Factors considered in AEO2012 that affect supply, demand, and prices for petroleum in the long term are:

* World demand for petroleum and other liquids

* Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) investment and production decisions

* The economics of non OPEC petroleum supply

* The economics of other liquids supply

The Reference case of AEO2012 indicates a short term increase in oil price, returning to price parity with the Brent oil price by 2016, as current constraints on pipeline capacity between Cushing and the Gulf of Mexico are moderated.

The Low Oil Price case results in a projected oil price of $62 per barrel in 2035. The Low Oil Price case assumes that economic growth and demand for petroleum and other liquids in developing economies (which account for nearly all of the projected growth in world oil consumption in the Reference case) is reduced.

Specifically, the annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the world, excluding the mature market economies that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), is assumed to be 1.5 percentage points lower than that of the Reference case in 2035 (only a 3.5% annual increase from 2010 to 2035), which reduces their projected oil consumption in 2035 by 8 million barrels from the Reference case projection.

While non OECD oil consumption is more responsive to lower economic growth than to prices, oil use in the OECD region increases modestly in the Low Oil Price case. In this lower price case, the market power of OPEC producers is weakened, and they lose the ability to control prices and to limit production.

In contrast, the High Oil Price case assumes prices rise to $186 per barrel by 2017 (in 2010 dollars) and then increase to $200 per barrel by 2035. These higher prices result from higher demand for petroleum and other liquid fuels in non OECD regions than projected for the Reference case. In particular, the projected GDP growth rates for China and India are 1.0 percentage point higher in 2012 and 0.3 points higher in 2035 than the rates in the Reference Case.

Overall, in 2035 it is projected that 4 million barrels per day will be produced above the Reference Case level, even though projected oil consumption in the mature, industrialized economies is reduced.

Get our Free Trading Videos, Lessons and eBook today!

Crude Oil Bulls Reeling From Lowest Close in 9 Months

Crude oil is bouncing back in Thursday evenings session from the lowest close in more then 9 months. But still trading well below strong resistance above the $80 level as European Union actions against Iran and a strike in Norway still prove unable to push crude through resistance. But the bulls hold out hope.

Crude oil closed lower on Thursday renewing this spring's decline. The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Friday's night session begins. Stochastics and the RSI are oversold but are neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term. If August extends this spring's decline, the 75% retracement level of the 2011-2012 rally crossing at 73.28 is the next downside target. Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 82.47 are needed to confirm that a low has been posted. First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 82.47. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 87.32. First support is today's low crossing at 77.28. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the 2011-2012 rally crossing at 73.28.

Get started trading crude oil today....with 10 FREE Trading Lessons

Natural gas closed lower on Thursday as it consolidated some of this month's rally. The mid range close sets the stage for a steady opening on Friday. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought are overbought but remain neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If July extends this month's rally, February's high crossing at 3.137 is the next upside target. Multiple closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at 2.524 are needed to confirm that a short term top has been posted. First resistance is Wednesday's high crossing at 2.975. Second resistance is February's high crossing at 3.137. First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 2.667. Second support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 2.524.

20 Survival Skills for the Trader

Gold closed lower on Thursday renewing the decline off this month's high. The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when this evenings session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term. If August extends last week's decline, May's low crossing at 1529.30 is the next downside target. Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 1601.90 are needed to temper the bearish outlook. First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 1601.90. Second resistance is reaction high crossing at 1642.40. First support is the reaction low crossing at 1556.40. Second support is May's low crossing at 1529.30.

Using Standard Deviation & Probability to Trade Options

From guest blogger J.W. Jones.....

I recently discussed the ability to use implied volatility to calculate the probability of a successful outcome for any given option trade. To review briefly, the essential concepts a trader must understand in order to make use of this helpful metric include......

The prices of any given underlying can be considered to be distributed in a Gaussian distribution the classic bell shaped curve.

The width of the spread of these prices is reflected in the standard deviation of the individual underlying’s distribution curve.

Plus / minus one standard deviation from the mean will include 68% of the individual price points, two standard deviations will include 95%, and three standard deviations will include 99.7%

A specific numerical value for the annual standard deviation can be calculated using the implied volatility of the options using the formula: underlying price X implied volatility

This standard deviation can be adjusted for the specific time period under consideration by multiplying the value derived above by the square root of the number of days divided by 365

These derived values are immensely important for the options trader because they give definitive metrics against which the probability of a successful trade can be gauged. An essential point of understanding is that the derived standard deviation gives no information whatsoever on the direction of a potential move. It merely determines the probability of the occurrence of a move of a specific magnitude.

Here's J.W.'s complete post and charts for "Using Standard Deviation & Probability to Trade Options"

Crude Oil Market Commentary for Thursday Morning June 28th

CME: August crude oil prices waffled between gains and losses throughout the initial morning hours, amid uncertainty ahead of the EU summit and slowing global growth prospects. The outside market tone provided a modest drag for the crude oil, with global equity markets weaker and slight gains in the US dollar. Additionally, slowing growth concerns have offset concerns that North Sea supplies have come under added strain from an oil worker strike in Norway. August crude oil prices climbed to a new four day high in response to yesterday's EIA data that showed an inventory decline of 133,000 barrels last week. EIA crude stocks are 27.697 million barrels above year ago levels and 41.847 million barrels above the five year average. Crude oil imports for the week stood at 9.118 million barrels per day compared to 9.445 million barrels the previous week. The refinery operating rate was up 0.7% to 92.6%, which compares to 88.1% last year and the five year average of 88.55%.

COT: Crude oil was slightly lower overnight as it consolidates around the 62% retracement level of the 2009-2012 rally crossing at 80.33. Stochastics and the RSI are oversold and are turning neutral to bullish hinting that a short term low might be in or is near. Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 82.56 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. If August extends this year's decline, the 75% retracement level of the 2009-2011 rally crossing at 73.28 is the next downside target. First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 82.56. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 87.32. First support is last Friday's low crossing at 77.56. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the 2009-2011 rally crossing at 73.28.

In other crude oil trading news.....

Venezuela wants OPEC to set an oil price band of $80 to $120 a barrel to stem crude's recent tumble, seeking to revive a policy the cartel scrapped seven years ago.

France is considering a one off tax on the oil sector before the end of 2012 that would raise around 500 million euros ($623.55 million), helping depleted French coffers but hurting its struggling refining industry.

Brazil's state led oil company Petrobras said on Wednesday that May output rose 1.9 percent to an average of 2.60 million barrels a day of oil and natural gas equivalent (boepd) as offshore fields in Brazil restarted after maintenance shutdowns.

Get our Free Trading Videos, Lessons and eBook today!

Commodities Get a Boost From New "It Isn't That Bad" Data in the U.S.

Crude oil closed higher due to short covering on Wednesday as it consolidates some of this spring's decline. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Thursday's night session begins. Stochastics and the RSI are oversold and are turning neutral to bullish signaling that a low might be in or is near. Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 82.92 are needed to confirm that a low has been posted. If August extends this spring's decline, the 75% retracement level of the 2011-2012 rally crossing at 73.28 is the next downside target. First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 82.92. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 87.32. First support is last Friday's low crossing at 77.56. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the 2011-2012 rally crossing at 73.28.

Natural gas closed higher on Wednesday as it extended this month's rally. The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Thursday. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought but remain neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If July extends this month's rally, February's high crossing at 3.104 is the next upside target. Multiple closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at 2.446 are needed to confirm that a short term top has been posted. First resistance is today's high crossing at 2.946. Second resistance is February's high crossing at 3.104. First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 2.610. Second support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 2.466.

Gold closed higher on Wednesday and the high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term. If August extends last week's decline, May's low crossing at 1529.30 is the next downside target. Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 1602.30 are needed to temper the bearish outlook. First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 1602.30. Second resistance is reaction high crossing at 1642.40. First support is the reaction low crossing at 1556.40. Second support is May's low crossing at 1529.30.

20 Survival Skills for the Trader

SABIC and ExxonMobil to Proceed with Specialty Elastomers Project at Al-Jubail

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) and affiliates of ExxonMobil announced today they will construct a world scale specialty elastomers facility at the Al-Jubail Petrochemical Company (Kemya) manufacturing joint venture.

The facility will be integrated with the existing Jubail complex and is expected to be completed in 2015. The companies have approved the next stage of project development, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC).

The facility will have the capacity to produce up to 400,000 tonnes per year of rubber. Including halobutyl, styrene butadiene, polybutadiene, and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubbers, thermoplastic specialty polymers, and carbon black to serve local markets, the Middle East and Asia. Kemya has awarded the EPC contract for the elastomers facility to Technip, Tecnicas Reunidas and Daelim.

Kemya is a 50-50 joint venture between SABIC and Exxon Chemical Arabia Inc., an affiliate of ExxonMobil Chemical Company. The two companies have collaborated closely since 1980 when they established the joint venture, which produces polyethylene, ethylene, and propylene. The new synthetic rubber project represents a significant broadening of Kemya’s product portfolio.

Find out more about this venture at ExxonMobils Newsroom.

Get our Free Trading Videos, Lessons and eBook today!

National Oilwell Varco Completes Wilson Acquisition

Get our Free Trading Videos, Lessons and eBook today!

National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (NYSE:NOV) announced the closing of its previously announced acquisition of Wilson distribution business segment from Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB). Wilson is a leading distributor of pipe, valves and fittings as well as mill, tool and safety products and services.

Pete Miller, Chairman, President and CEO of National Oilwell Varco, stated “We are happy to welcome Wilson’s employees to the National Oilwell Varco family and look forward to continuing the excellent service and products NOV and Wilson have to offer our customers.”

National Oilwell Varco is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and sale of equipment and components used in oil and gas drilling and production operations, the provision of oilfield services, and supply chain integration services to the upstream oil and gas industry.

Statements made in this press release that are forward-looking in nature are intended to be "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and may involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to documents filed by National Oilwell Varco with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K, which identify significant risk factors which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward looking statements.

Get your free trend analysis for NOV

We are extending our “Trade Triangle Technology” 30 day trial and it’s only $8.95!

Crude Oil Traders Whisper....U.S. Inventories on the Rise

CME: August crude oil prices trended lower throughout the overnight and initial morning hours. Traders noted that some of the late day advance yesterday was tempered by private industry data that suggesting that U.S. crude stocks might have unexpectedly increased last week. The market also appears to be under a degree of pressure in front of this week's EU summit, which is largely expected to show little progress in resolving the European debt crisis. The crude oil market garnered support in yesterday's session from mounting concerns over a tightening North Sea supply situation.

COT: August crude oil was slightly lower overnight as it consolidates below the 62% retracement level of the 2009-2012 rally crossing at 80.33. Stochastics and the RSI are oversold but remain neutral to bearish signaling that additional weakness is possible near term. If August extends this year's decline, the 75% retracement level of the 2009-2011 rally crossing at 73.28 is the next downside target. Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 82.86 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 82.86. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 87.32. First support is last Friday's low crossing at 77.56. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the 2009-2011 rally crossing at 73.28.

Get our Free Trading Videos, Lessons and eBook today!

Strong Resistance at 80.33 Proving Difficult for the Crude Oil Bulls

Crude oil closed higher due to short covering on Tuesday as it consolidates below the 62% retracement level of the 2011-2012 rally crossing at 80.33. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Wednesday's night session begins. Stochastics and the RSI are oversold but remain neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term. If August extends this spring's decline, the 75% retracement level of the 2011-2012 rally crossing at 73.28 is the next downside target. Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 83.31 are needed to confirm that a low has been posted. First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 83.31. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 87.32. First support is last Friday's low crossing at 77.56. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the 2011-2012 rally crossing at 73.28.

Natural gas closed higher on Tuesday as it extended this month's rally. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Wednesday. Stochastics and the RSI are becoming overbought but remain bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If July extends this month's rally, May's high crossing at 2.838 is the next upside target. Multiple closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at 2.449 are needed to confirm that a short term top has been posted. First resistance is today's high crossing at 2.778. Second resistance is May's high crossing at 2.838. First support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 2.449. Second support is this month's low crossing at 2.168.

Gold closed lower on Tuesday and poised to renew the decline off last week's high. The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Wednesday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term. If August extends last week's decline, May's low crossing at 1529.30 is the next downside target. Closes above the 10 day moving average crossing at 1602.60 are needed to temper the bearish outlook. First resistance is the 10 day moving average crossing at 1602.60. Second resistance is reaction high crossing at 1642.40. First support is the reaction low crossing at 1556.40. Second support is May's low crossing at 1529.30.

Get our Free Trading Videos, Lessons and eBook today!

CME Recap Energy Market Report For Tuesday June 26th

Check out our latest Video, Market Analysis and Forecast for the Dollar, Crude Oil, Gold, Silver, and the SP500

August crude oil prices registered an inside day trading range that was slightly higher on the session. The market spent most of the session within a tight trading range, despite fractional improvement in outside market sentiment.

Early support for the market came from gains in Brent crude oil and from expectations that US weekly crude stocks drew down last week. Prices took a negative turn in the wake of US economic data that showed Consumer Confidence falling by more than expected in June.

Some traders pointed to gains in Brent crude oil and concerns over a workers' strike in Norway that could tighten up near term supply as a force providing a late morning turnaround. As a result, the price differential between Brent and WTI crude oil increased by nearly $2.00 on the session.

Expectations for this week's EIA crude oil report are for a draw in the range of 750,000 to 1.0 million barrels.

Get our Free Trading Videos, Lessons and eBook today!