The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has reaffirmed its projection of robust global oil consumption for 2024. In its latest monthly report, the cartel attributed this anticipated surge to the expected resurgence of travel during the upcoming summer season.
OPEC forecasts a daily increase of 2. 25 million barrels in global oil demand throughout 2024. This figure remains unchanged from the previous month's estimate, signaling the group's confidence in the trajectory of oil consumption. The cartel attributes this positive outlook to the resilience of the global economy and a projected uptick in air travel, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere.
The upcoming summer months are expected to witness a significant boost in demand for transportation fuels, primarily driven by increased mobility and holiday travel. This seasonal surge is anticipated to be a key contributor to overall oil demand growth.
While OPEC maintains its optimistic stance, it acknowledges the prevailing uncertainty surrounding the pace of the world's transition to cleaner energy sources. This factor has led to a wider-than-usual range of forecasts among oil market analysts regarding the strength of oil demand growth in the near and medium term.