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1 1 (April 10, 2020)

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Congressional
Research Service
inforrmng  the I gislative debate since 1914_


Low Oil Prices: Prospects for Global Oil

Market Balance



Updated April 10, 2020


Reduced travel, slowing economic activity, and petroleum-product demand suppression related to the
COVID-19  outbreak, combined with announced plans to increase crude oil supplies, have created
expectations of an imbalanced and significantly oversupplied near-term petroleum market. Oversupply
expectations have contributed to oil prices declining nearly 60% since January. Some regional oil prices
have been less than $10 per barrel. While low oil prices are generally positive for consumers, current
price levels are causing financial stress for the U.S. oil sector and several policy options could be
explored that might provide some degree of relief.
Market balance-supply minus demand-is  one important factor that influences oil prices, refinery crude
oil acquisition cost, and the price of consumer petroleum products (e.g., gasoline). Oil market
characteristics-generally inelastic supply and demand in the short term-can contribute to market
conditions that could result in volatile price movements (both up and down) when supply and demand are
imbalanced by 1 to 2 million barrels per day (Mbpd) for a brief or extended period. Preliminary
projections-subject to revision-indicate that global imbalance could be as high as 21.8 Mbpd in April
2020 (see Figure 1). Prolonged oversupply periods at this level could test petroleum storage and logistical
limits and could further depress oil prices.















                                                               Congressional Research Service
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