Eni releases its World Oil, Gas and Renewables Review

In 2018, oil reserves rose slightly (+0.4%), mainly due to growth in the US. The values also rose in Brazil and Norway. OPEC reserves slowed down, in particular due to the downsizing of Iraq, but the organisation still maintains its predominance with a 73% share of the total world. Venezuela is in first position, followed by Saudi Arabia and Canada.

2018 recorded an overall growth in oil production of 2.5 million bpd, 88% due to the US, which hit a new record, consolidating the first position in the rank of world producers. The US also broke into the international crude trade, doubling export volumes and entering the top ten.

The new record of tight oil production continued to increase the share of sweet light crudes, which rose above 20% worldwide. Only WTI, the US light crude, covers 60% of global growth. The collapse of Venezuela, and Mexico and Iran's retreat prevailed over increases in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, reducing the weight of medium sour crude oil below 40% for the first time, impacting price differentials and refining.

In the regional crude oil balance of 2018, the deficit of the Americas – which has exceeded 5 million bpd in the last decade – was cleared for the first time. The surge in US production and Canada's growth far outweighed domestic demand, generating a sharp decline in North American oil dependence. The surplus in the Middle East is slightly up, due to the year-end increases of big producers (Saudi Arabia, Iraq and UAE). Asia Pacific's oil dependence continues to grow, ranking first in terms of deficit.

Global oil demand grew by 1.4%, slightly lower than in 2017 (+1.6%) in a context of increasing oil prices. The growth is slightly under the five-year average of 1.7% recorded in 2013 – 2017. For the fourth year in a row, OECD gave positive support to global growth, but non-OECD maintained the dominant share, accounting for 69% of the overall growth.

Asia led global refining capacity growth with a 77% share of the 1 million bpd increase vs 2017. In Africa a minor cut reduced capacity by around 300 000 bpd.

The OPEC and non-OPEC alliance and the sustained growth in consumption led to a 30% rise in ICE Brent price (US$72/bbl) compared to 2017 (US$55/bbl). In the first part of the year the high OPEC+ discipline and the announcement of the US sanctions against Iran supported a rising price curve. The year ended in sharp decline, due to increases of Saudi Arabia and Russia production in excess of geopolitical losses and due to growing fears of a slowdown in economic growth.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/refining/29072019/eni-releases-its-world-oil-gas-and-renewables-review/