EIA Cuts US Oil Output Forecast

The US Energy Information Administration said on Tuesday it expects US crude oil production to rise by less than previously forecast next year due to a lower price outlook. In the agency's latest monthly short-term energy outlook, it forecast that 2018 crude oil output will rise to 9.9 million barrels per day from 9.3 million bpd this year, a 570,000-bpd increase. Last month, it forecast a 680,000 bpd year-on-year increase. The agency's forecast for 2017 is unchanged, Reuters reported. “A lower forecast for crude oil prices is expected to shave a little off projected growth in US oil production next year compared with the previous forecast," said Howard Gruenspecht, acting EIA administrator. The EIA cut its 2018 pricing outlook for global benchmark Brent crude futures to $52 a barrel, down $4 a barrel from the previous month. US demand growth in 2017 is expected to be slightly lower than previously forecast at 310,000 barrels per day, compared with 320,000 in the June forecast. US 2018 demand is expected to increase by 360,000 bpd, up from 310,000 bpd previously.