Supply constraints emanating from the boycott of Russian products on top of increasing demand means that the oil price is getting squeezed. Under the Radar Report said it would go to US$100 a barrel. We now think it will go much higher.

Start investing successfully in fast-growth ASX Small Caps now with Under the Radar Report.

Russian oil sanctions drive the oil price higher

Under the Radar Report has been taking the view for the past six months that the price outlook for oil was positive given declining oil project investment and exploration by the major oil producers in the face of renewable energy trends. At the same time, projections by the International Energy Agency (IEA) were pointing to global oil demand continuing to grow to higher levels until at least 2025. We had postulated that the oil price could rise to around the US$100/barrel level.

The war in Ukraine and bans on oil exports from Russia has added another dimension to oil prices and this has big ramifications for inflation, global growth, and international equity markets.

Russia is a big player

Russia is the world’s third largest oil producer behind the US and Saudi Arabia*, with production of 10 million barrels a day. Half of this is exported, 60% to OECD countries in Europe, and 20% to China. This is significant in the context of global oil demand returning to pre-pandemic levels of 99.7 million barrels/day in the current year.*

This week oil futures touched US$139/barrel on the ban on Russian oil exports to the US. At this stage, the ban does not appear to extend to exports of crude oil to Europe. The oil price has since retreated to around US$125/barrel.

Limited Global Production Capacity

The price rise reflects the difficulty of replacing Russian oil. OPEC produces 30 million barrels a day and has limited spare capacity, due to reduced investment in recent years. While there is spare capacity in the US, particularly in oil shale production, producers have been giving priority to cash flow rather than drilling new wells.

Russian Gas

There are also concerns regarding Russian gas with the potential for reductions in supply into Europe very real, where it is used for heating. Changes in the energy mix could include increased oil consumption, further tightening the oil demand-supply balance, or LNG imports. LNG supply contracts generally have price mechanisms linked to the oil price.

Under the Radar Report has backed Karoon Energy (KAR), a pure oil play, as the best Australian company in the sector to gain exposure to the oil price. This has more than doubled since we recommended the stock in January 2021 at $1.10.

*According to the International Oil Agency

If you are interested in learning more about the mining sector and how to invest in this area, read more here.

5 highest performing Oil Stocks on the ASX

Click Here!

Subscribe to our Small Cap report for just

$59 a month!