There was a press release by Exxon a couple of days ago with claims of prices hitting 150.
People have been making similar claims for months, but it hasn’t happened. The forward curve has been backwardated for quite a while now.
Is it Exxon doing a please buy our oil while it’s high, or is something else going on? Pray tell.
- This is a situation they’ve never faced before. It’s hard to simulate and betting on high prices may not be a great bet. Especially given that oil futures aren’t like buying options. You actually have to take delivery.
- They’re expecting a recession.
- They don’t want to invest the money In aggregate that they’d have to in futures to raise the price above certain levels.
- They suspect a lot of oil consumers will simply shut shop and end demand since those prices won’t be sustainable for many businesses. Airlines are already canceling flights.
- They expect the blockades to end sooner rather than later.