Oil Reaches Resistance: Crude oil gains from Libya’s production halt pushed WTI prices above $77, nearing key resistance levels. Despite US production at record highs, drilling activity remains low. Technical analysis shows resistance between $77.6-$78.6, with potential support areas around $70-71 and $64 if momentum weakens. Inventory levels and market sentiment may guide future moves.
Oil reaches resistance
Crude oil posted gains at the end of last week thanks to optimism on global platforms. The beginning
of the new week was also favourable for the bulls, as the government of east Libya, where almost all
the country’s reserves are concentrated, announced the suspension of oil production and exports.
In the US, despite low drilling activity, production rates have remained at an all-time high of 13.4
million barrels per day. Industry experts note that productivity is increasing as more oil is extracted
from each well. This is good news for oil companies profitability, but it barely masks a reluctance to
increase investment in production and global market share.
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Meanwhile, US commercial inventories remain below last year’s levels, albeit within the norm of
recent years.
Technical analysis
Short-term technical factors have come into play, and the three-day rally has lost momentum as the
price of a barrel of WTI has risen above $77. Former long-term support lies in this area, and above, in
the $77.6-78.2 range, are the 200 and 50-day moving averages. Also, near $77.9 and $78.6 are the
200 and 50-week moving averages. The former has been a key support level for several years and
could now act as resistance.
If the pressure intensifies, the price may not find significant technical support until the $70-71 area,
where the area of the lows from the end of 2022 is located. The next support level is at $64, which
has acted as a turning point several times over the past seven years.
