Oil prices ticked up today, after the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a crude oil inventory draw of 7.5 million barrels for the week to March 21.

The total number of total active drilling rigs in the United States rose by 4 this week, according to new data from Baker Hughes published on Friday.

IOCs had effectively been banned from operating in both the north and the south of Iraq.
The deal between Baghdad and the KRG about oil sales and its proceeds has not worked out as it should.
The FGI’s reinvigorated toughness last year on the KRG’s independent sale of oil from the north indicates that Russian companies lost influence.

As the Fed and other central banks around the world have raised rates, some areas of the stock market have posted big losses. Tech, for example, and anything to do with the worlds of crypto and the blockchain were hit hard at the end of last year, and while there has been some kind of a bounce in the early part of this year, even that is looking suspect now after this week’s acceptance by Fed Chair Jerome Powell that “higher for longer” is now expected.

Exports of crude oil from the United States have surged since Russia invaded Ukraine last year.
The U.S. oil industry will see lower production growth this year and next before a potential return to stronger growth as prices rise.
With natural depletion, then, the cost of drilling increases and is added to already higher costs of equipment, services, and materials that are the result of global inflationary trends.

The early days of the U.S. shale boom were characterized by innovation-driven disruption throughout an industry that had changed very little over time.
Fracking technology unlocked unfathomable reserves in the oil and gas realm.
The U.S. shale revolution had a profound impact on global politics.

Chinese crude oil imports could increase to an average as high as 11.8 million barrels per day.
Reuters: Chinese refineries are raising utilization rates due to lower-cost crude and a surge in demand after the reopening.
China will also see this year the start-up of two new refineries with a combined capacity to process 520,000 bpd of crude.

Before the invasion of Ukraine, India was a small marginal buyer of Russian crude oil.
Indian and Russian top energy executives are bolstering their energy ties this week at the India Energy Week.
India’s imports of Russian crude oil are estimated to have hit a record high of 1.2 million barrels per day in December.

Venzuela is scrambling to capitalize on the global oil shortage, but it’s just not happening.
Despite easing sanctions, the Maduro regime is struggling to ramp up production.
There has been around a month-long pause on crude and fuel exports, as PDVSA demands prepayment ahead of loading cargo, either with cash, goods, or services.

Offshore Guyana, in as little as seven years, has emerged as the world’s hottest frontier oil play.
Guyana’s appeal to energy investors is bolstered by favorable geology, growing petroleum infrastructure and low breakeven prices.
Guyana’s oil auction is attracting considerable interest with major energy companies from Asia to Europe reviewing the opportunities available.

Barclays: slowdown in global manufacturing activity could lead to increased downside for crude prices.
Barclays sees an estimated decline in Russia’s liquids output of 700,000 bpd from Q4 2023 to Q4 2024.
Barclays also isn’t writing off a potential boost in demand from China’s reopening.

Middle East Business Intelligence: West Qurna 2 faces delays.
West Qurna 2 is operated by Russia's Lukoil.
Work on the next development phase of the giant oilfield was supposed to be completed by the end of this year.