Brent crude oil closed below $30 on Friday, January 15, 2016. This is the first time Brent crude has traded below $30 in over twelve years. Oil prices have plunged recently despite reports of Mideast instability, that terrorist groups have attacked storage facilities in two major Libyan ports and the threat of spreading hostilities in Iraq, Iran, Bahrain and other countries in the Persian Gulf.
The price decrease is primarily the result of supply and demand. Typically oil prices go up when the global economy is strong and world demand for oil and gas is rising. In response, response suppliers increase production and deplete stored reserves to take advantage of the increased price. When the global economy is stagnant or struggling, energy demand decreases and producers typically decrease production in line with the falling demand and also increase reserves or stockpiles. Not so this go round. In order to maintain cash flow, many oil companies are currently producing all they can.
Falling Demand
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