The IEA, in a monthly report, raised its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2015 by 280,000 barrels per day, bpd, to 1.40 million bpd, bringing demand this year to almost 94 million bpd. “Recent oil market strength of course partly stems from unexpectedly strong global oil demand growth,” said the Paris-based IEA, which advises industrialised nations on energy policy.
Oil prices have recovered this year after hitting a near six-year low close to $45 a barrel in January. Prices collapsed from $115 in June 2014, in a decline that deepened after OPEC refused to prop them up and chose instead to defend market share. The IEA’s upward revision makes it the most bullish on demand growth of the three government forecasters closely watched by the oil market.
The two others – OPEC and the U.S. government’s Energy Information Administration – issued reports earlier last week. Crude prices initially rose after the release of the IEA report. By last weekend, benchmark Brent crude was trading at $65.83 a barrel, up 13 cents.
As well as lower prices, economic recovery and a relatively cold winter helped lift demand in the first half of the year, the IEA said. The supportive impact of these factors could wane in the rest of 2015. “Recent months have seen a steady acceleration in global oil demand growth, but due to the temporary nature of many of the factors that contributed to the upside, annual growth may subside in the second half of 2015.”
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