In the first quarter of 2025, the Gear Oil market in North America maintained a relatively stable price trend, although fluctuations occurred due to ongoing supply and demand challenges. At the start of the quarter, supply was generally adequate, supported by higher exports from U.S. producers. However, certain Gear Oil grades tightened as production cuts were implemented to prevent oversupply. These tight conditions were further amplified by planned plant maintenance and unforeseen disruptions at key facilities, which led to supply constraints by mid-quarter.

Oil prices remain stable after a volatile week marked by US-Iran tensions, with markets watching Trump's next move for potential supply disruptions.

The 2025 annual OPEC basket price stood at ***** U.S. dollars per barrel as of June. This would be lower than the 2024 average, which amounted to ***** U.S. dollars. The abbreviation OPEC stands for Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and includes Algeria, Angola, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and the United Arab Emirates. The aim of the OPEC is to coordinate the oil policies of its member states. It was founded in 1960 in Baghdad, Iraq. The OPEC Reference Basket The OPEC crude oil price is defined by the price of the so-called OPEC (Reference) basket. This basket is an average of prices of the various petroleum blends that are produced by the OPEC members. Some of these oil blends are, for example: Saharan Blend from Algeria, Basra Light from Iraq, Arab Light from Saudi Arabia, BCF 17 from Venezuela, et cetera. By increasing and decreasing its oil production, OPEC tries to keep the price between a given maxima and minima. Benchmark crude oil The OPEC basket is one of the most important benchmarks for crude oil prices worldwide. Other significant benchmarks are UK Brent, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), and Dubai Crude (Fateh). Because there are many types and grades of oil, such benchmarks are indispensable for referencing them on the global oil market. The 2025 fall in prices was the result of weakened demand outlooks exacerbated by extensive U.S. trade tariffs.

The price of crude coconut oil in the USA hit 1,147 USD/MT in December 2023. In Germany, crude coconut oil prices reached 1,416 USD/MT during December 2023. The role of production costs had been crucial in maintaining price stability, ending the year at around 9,68 USD/MT in Indonesia during December 2023.

During the first quarter of 2025, the U.S. base oil prices remained relatively stable, supported by a careful balance of supply and demand. At the start of January 2025, domestic supply was generally sufficient due to increased export activity by U.S. producers, but certain grades became tight because of production cutbacks aimed at avoiding an oversupply situation. However, February 2025 saw a slight uptick in demand, particularly from the lubricants sector, as manufacturers prepared for the spring production season.

We analyze the role of oil price volatility in reducing U.S. macroeconomic instability. Using a Markov Switching Rational Expectation New-Keynesian model we revisit the timing of the Great Moderation and the sources of changes in the volatility of macroeconomic variables. We find that smaller or fewer oil price shocks did not play a major role in explaining the Great Moderation. Instead oil price shocks are recurrent sources of economic fluctuations. The most important factor reducing overall variability is a decline in the volatility of structural macroeconomic shocks. A change to a more responsive (hawkish) monetary policy regime also played a role.

In North America, mustard oil prices in Q1 2025 experienced moderate fluctuations, with the market initially seeing a slight increase in January. This rise was mainly attributed to steady demand from both industrial and retail sectors, which were bolstered by strong consumer preferences for mustard oil. Furthermore, supply constraints from key producing regions coupled with global market uncertainties contributed to upward pressure on prices. Despite these factors, the North American market remained relatively stable compared to other regions, with prices showing resilience due to ongoing local demand.

In 2023, Dubai Fateh had an average price of 82.09 U.S. dollars per barrel, down from the 96.38 U.S. dollars per barrel compared to the previous year. Dubai Crude (Fateh) oil price Dubai Crude (Fateh) is the most important crude oil benchmark for Asia. Dubai Crude originated in Dubai in the Persian Gulf. Another name for this crude oil is Fateh. The name Fateh comes from an offshore oil field, located some 60 miles from Dubai, and is, therefore, part of the United Arab Emirates. One of the advantages of Dubai Crude compared to other Persian Gulf crude oils, and a main reason why it is used as an oil marker, is its instant availability. Dubai Crude, behind West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and UK Brent, is one of the lighter crude oils. On the other hand, Dubai Crude contains some two percent of sulphur, and thus is part of the so-called sour crude oils. In comparison, UK Brent contains 0.37 percent of sulphur, which means it is a so-called sweet crude oil. The refining of sour and heavier oils is always more expensive than it is for sweeter and lighter oils. Dubai Crude, the same as OPEC oils, is mostly refined and traded in the Asian region. The other two crucial oil benchmarks are West Texas Intermediate (WTI), which is especially important for North America, and UK Brent (Brent Crude), which dominates the European oil market. Such benchmarks are essential for referencing the many types and grades of oil on the worldwide market.With the exception of the years 2009 and 2010, there was a stable increase in the price for one barrel of Dubai-Fateh crude oil in the last ten years, until 2015, when the price dropped by half. The mean price per barrel stood at approximately 24 U.S. dollars in 2002. By 2012, this price had increased to more than 109 U.S. dollars, but dropped to 51.20 U.S. dollars per barrel 2015.

Oil prices stabilize after a decline, influenced by US economic signals, trade tensions, and Iran talks. Brent crude sees its largest monthly drop since 2022, with market indicators suggesting a tightening oil market.

During the Q2 of 2024, the price of white oil in the United States reached 1638 USD/MT in June. The U.S. market exhibited stability, driven by a steady supply-demand outlook and regular refinery functions. Despite fluctuating rates of crude oil and minor geopolitical conflicts, the market remained resilient, with only slight seasonal price variations due to increased demand for cosmetic products during summer. In confluence with this, prices remained static compared to earlier quarters, reflecting a dependable pricing environment, ensuring minimal disruption in the white oil market.

In North America, the Castor Oil market displayed varied pricing behaviour across the first quarter of 2025. The new year opened on a relatively steady note in January, with ample global supply stemming from fresh harvests in major production regions supporting stable trade flows and maintaining balanced price levels. Minor upward price adjustments, triggered by logistical delays such as blank sailings and fluctuations in freight rates, were effectively neutralized by restrained industrial consumption. Early economic indicators reflected cautious optimism, yet this sentiment did not translate into significant procurement momentum within castor oil-reliant industries.

UK oil and gas production has diminished over the past decade because old oil fields have matured while developing new commercially viable sources has become increasingly challenging. To combat this, extractors have pooled their resources and formed partnerships to enhance efficiency, while some have benefitted from previous investments in fields coming onstream. Oil and gas extracting companies also reaped the rewards of an upsurge in global prices through 2022-23, leading to sharp revenue growth. However, this quickly turned around in 2023-24, with most major companies’ revenue nosediving along with oil prices, as growing global oil and gas from America flooded the market, slightly outpacing demand. Revenue is expected to expand at a compound annual rate of 3.4% over the five years through 2024-25 to just over £33 billion. This includes a forecast hike of 5.3% in 2024-25; however, profit is slated to inch downward over the year as global oil and gas prices remain somewhat flat in the second half of 2024-25. Global oil and gas prices greatly affect the industry's performance, with the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) putting supply cuts in place and global tensions resulting in price peaks and troughs. In October 2022, OPEC instituted a supply cut of two million barrels of crude oil per day, driving Brent Crude Oil prices up to US$110 (£87.80) per barrel, which has been extended until March 2025, with a ramping up period through September 2025. This is set to keep oil prices stable by limiting global oil supplies in the face of growing production in non-OPEC countries. The sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports because of the Russia-Ukraine conflict add further impetus to prices. The EU has banned imports of Russian-made oil and gas, providing opportunities for UK exporters. Crude oil prices remain high, but significant oil production from non-OPEC countries threatening a glut in the oil market and a significant dip in global demand (especially from China) has made oil prices plummet since July 2024. Despite mounting tensions in the Middle East having the potential to cut oil supply from the region, the ongoing political tensions have yet to significantly impact global prices, with prices hiking up around 10% in the month to October 2024 but remaining relatively low. Oil and gas prices are likely to continue inching downwards in the coming years as the US is forecast to continue ramping up the global oil and gas supply. This, along with an expected drop in global demand for oil and gas in the long term, will limit growth. The UK government will implement policies to create a more favourable environment for extractors and further investment in the North Sea to improve UK energy security. However, the depletion of natural resources, the expensive cost of extraction, low gas and oil prices and the global energy transition will threaten the industry's long-term viability. The government announced a delay to the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, along with the relaxation of some net-zero policies in September 2023, which should keep fossil fuel explorers afloat for longer. Revenue is forecast to climb at a compound annual rate of 3.4% over the five years through 2029-30 to just over £39 billion.

This study investigates the impact of oil price uncertainty (OPU) on corporate profitability in China, the world’s largest crude oil consumer. Most importantly, we examine how the Chinese government’s oil price reform affects this relationship. Using the yearly data of Chinese-listed companies, we find that the uncertainty of oil prices negatively affects corporate profitability but positively impacts operating expenses from 2007 to 2020. This finding holds after robust tests, including alternative profitability metrics and endogeneity model. Most interestingly, implementing the 2013 market-oriented oil pricing reform amplifies the adverse impact of OPU on corporate profitability owing to increased operating costs in the post-2013 period. Moreover, the detrimental effect of uncertain oil prices on corporate profitability is less prominent for large-capitalized companies. This research adds to the body of knowledge on the factors affecting corporate profitability by highlighting the volatility effect of oil prices and government pricing mechanisms. The results offer grounds for legislators and corporate managers to consider how to control the uncertainty surrounding oil price matters to ensure stable corporate profitability.

Oil prices hold steady on Tuesday, influenced by Chinese demand concerns and anticipation of the U.S. interest rate decision, impacting global market dynamics.

Oil prices remain stable as rising U.S. gasoline stocks and potential interest rate cuts counterbalance easing supply concerns following the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.

In Q1 2025, the North American carbon black market exhibited a largely stable price trend, with quotations fluctuating narrowly between USD 1980 to 2010 per MT FOB Texas during January and settling at around USD 2000/MT through February. The market was primarily shaped by an oversupply situation and a subdued demand outlook, prompting suppliers and traders to maintain steady prices while awaiting stronger buying signals. Despite this apparent stagnancy, cost-side pressures persisted throughout the quarter—driven notably by elevated natural gas and oil prices—which continued to influence the overall production cost structure.

The average price of Indian basket crude oil was estimated to reach ***** U.S. dollars per barrel in the financial year 2024. While Indian basket crude oil prices have fluctuated during the reported period, this figure significantly decreased from the previous year’s average of ***** U.S. dollars. The average price of crude oil went up marginally around the financial year 2012, touching almost *** U.S. dollars per barrel. Recent trends in the Indian oil industry The last several years have seen a slight but steady increase in Indian crude oil refinery capacity. However, the annual domestic crude oil production volume has consistently decreased. Not surprisingly, the volume of crude oil imports had recently been on the rise for several years. The future of the Indian energy sector As the third-largest primary energy consumer globally, India relies on various sources to meet its energy demands. At the same time, a significant increase in primary energy consumption across various sources is projected for the coming decades, with renewables playing a vital role in the Indian energy transition.

Prices for most industrial commodities strengthened further in the first quarter (q/q), while global agricultural prices remained broadly stable. Crude oil prices are forecast to rise to an average of $55 per barrel (bbl) in 2017 from $43/ bbl in 2016. The oil forecast is unchanged since October 2016 and reflects balancing forces: upward pressure on prices from production cuts agreed by Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC producing countries, and downward pressure from persistently high stocks, supported by the faster-than-expected rebound of the U.S. shale oil industry. Metals prices are projected to increase 16 percent as a result of strong demand in China and various supply constraints, including labor strikes and contractual disputes in the case of copper, and environmental and export policies for nickel. Agricultural commodity prices, which gained 1 percent in the first quarter, are anticipated to remain broadly stable in 2017, with moderate increases in oils and meals and raw materials offset by declines in grains and beverages.

A select panel of oil resource analysts, convened on August 31 and September I, 1992 by the Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, and the National Institute for Petroleum and Energy Research (NIPER) at the request of the U.s. Department of Energy, concludes that the remaining, recoverable volume of crude oil in the United States ranges from 99 to 204 billion barrels, inclusive of 25 billion barrels of oil carried as proved reserves by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) at the end of 1991 (table A). The range in estimates reflects different assumptions of price and technology (including the geological ability to apply technology). The lower estimate assumes a stable oil price of $20 per barrel (1992 dollars) with existing technology. The higher estimate assumes a price of $27 per barrel (1992 dollars) but 'With advanced technology. The range in. estimates of the remaining resource base recoverable under the given assumptions is equivalent to 35 to 75 years of continued U.s. crude oil production at the current annual rate of 2.7 billion barrels. In the Oil Resources Panel's estimation of recoverable resources, both price and technology are significant and they are almost equivalent in their impact (fig. A). The average estimate for recoverable volumes (total undiscovered resources and reserve growth) at both price levels was approximately two-thirds greater with the assumption of advanced technology than with existing technology (table B).

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The oil and gas drilling automation market share is expected to increase by USD 206.7 million from 2020 to 2025, and the market’s growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 1.64%.

This oil and gas drilling automation market research report provides valuable insights on the post-COVID-19 impact on the market, which will help companies evaluate their business approaches. Furthermore, this report extensively covers oil and gas drilling automation market segmentation by application (onshore and offshore) and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, MEA, and South America). The oil and gas drilling automation market report also offer information on several market vendors, including ABB Ltd., Akastor ASA, Ensign Energy Services Inc., Honeywell International Inc., Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, Nabors Industries Ltd., National Oilwell Varco Inc., Rockwell Automation Inc., Schlumberger Ltd., and Siemens AG among others.

What will the Oil And Gas Drilling Automation Market Size be During the Forecast Period?

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'Offshore rigs are equipped with cybernetics systems to improve equipment manipulation and automate key processes such as pipe handling, jacking, and fixation. Therefore, the recovery in crude oil prices is expected to drive the adoption of O&G drilling automation solutions globally during the forecast period.'

Oil And Gas Drilling Automation Market: Key Drivers, Trends, and Challenges

The O&G price recovery is notably driving the oil and gas drilling automation market growth, although factors such as high ownership costs may impede the market growth. Our research analysts have studied the historical data and deduced the key market drivers and the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the oil and gas drilling automation industry. The holistic analysis of the drivers will help in deducing end goals and refining marketing strategies to gain a competitive edge.

Key Oil And Gas Drilling Automation Market Driver

O&G price recovery is a major driver fueling the oil and gas drilling automation market growth. Since 2019, the moderate recovery in crude oil prices has spurred growth in oil and gas (O&G) extraction projects in countries such as the US, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait. Rapid fluctuations in crude oil prices adversely impacted the economic activities in oil-dependent regions such as the Middle East during 2016-2019. Owing to factors such as the limited production of crude oil in key oil-producing countries, such as the US and Russia, and geopolitical factors, such as the US-China trade war, oil prices witnessed considerable stability in 2019. Additionally, the restoration of oil production facilities in Saudi Arabia to full capacity is expected to cater to the global demand for O&G at stable prices during the forecast period.Owing to rapid advances in automation and system integration technologies, automated drilling solutions are finding increased adoption in onshore and offshore oil and gas sites. Offshore rigs are equipped with cybernetics systems to improve equipment manipulation and automate key processes such as pipe handling, jacking, and fixation. Therefore, the recovery in crude oil prices is expected to drive the adoption of O&G drilling automation solutions globally during the forecast period.

Key Oil And Gas Drilling Automation Market Trend

The adoption of IoT technology is the major trend influencing the oil and gas drilling automation market growth. The adoption of the internet of things (IoT) devices for in-depth monitoring and data capturing in the O&G industry is improving the overall efficiency of O&G operations. With crude oil prices registering considerable recovery over the last two years, rig operators and oil producers are emphasizing optimizing the energy efficiency of oilfields. IoT devices are being increasingly used in the O&G industry for a range of applications, including drilling management, pipeline testing, and monitoring, among others. IoT enables oil rig operators and refineries to monitor key performance parameters such as pipe pressure and flow rate. Additionally, IoT ensures accurate and real-time data collection at locations that are not easily accessible. Smart devices provide notifications in advance to operators about any drilling errors or incorrect measurements, thereby minimizing the requirement for routine manual inspections. Advances in connected technologies such as low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN) enable connectivity between monitoring sensors in remote offshore applications. Therefore, the rising adoption of IoT in drilling activities is expected to drive the growth of the global O&G drilling automation market during the forecast period.

Key Oil And Gas Drilling Automation Market Challenge

High ownership costs are a major hindrance to the oil and gas drill