There is a slightly better feel about the oil price this morning, US consumer sentiment appears better and it appears that China, as suggested here a number of times, has been buying for its strategic reserves. Elsewhere the Khafji oilfield in the Saudi/Kuwait territory has seen a production halt due to ‘environmental’ reasons which takes about 300/- b/d off the market, thank goodness for very small blessings. Iran has said that they will ‘take measures to stop oil prices falling’ which is all very well and good but of little help in realité. The prices above are week end ones, the small rally on Friday has continued this morning with WTI at $83.08 and Brent at $86.22 as I write.
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