Oil prices fell on Nov. 5 as Democrat Joe Biden edged closer to the White House in a nail-biting U.S. presidential election, though doubts remain over further huge stimulus to bolster the economy in the face of the coronavirus crisis.
Brent crude fell 20 cents, or 0.4%, to $41.03 a barrel by 1325 GMT and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was down 30 cents, or 0.7%, at $38.85. Both contracts had jumped about 4% on Nov. 4.
Biden predicted victory over President Donald Trump after winning two critical U.S. states while the Republican incumbent alleged fraud, filed lawsuits and demanded recounts in a bitter contest that has yet to be decided.
A drawn-out court battle over the results could cause additional uncertainty in the market, spawning further sell-offs within risky asset classes.
“A Trump win will likely to be bullish for oil, at least more bullish than under a Biden administration,” said Tamas Varga at oil brokerage PVM.
“Joe Biden will rejoin [the Paris climate agreement]. He would also soften the U.S. stance on Iran, consequently global oil supply could rise.”
Current vote counting and trends suggest the Republicans are poised to retain control of the U.S. Senate, while the Democrats will hold a slimmed majority in the House of Representatives.
A divided Congress could hamper Biden’s plans on climate change, economic stimulus and the easing of sanctions on oil producer Iran.
Oil prices had surged on Nov. 4 on growing expectations that OPEC and its allies, together called OPEC+, would hold off on bringing back 2 million barrels per day of supply in January, given demand has been sapped by new COVID-19 lockdowns.
“The volatility in oil will remain because of its sensitivity to the U.S. dollar,” said Commonwealth Bank commodities analyst Vivek Dhar.
Recommended Reading
E&P Highlights: Feb. 3, 2025
2025-02-03 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, from a forecast of rising global land rig activity to new contracts.
BKV Positions Itself to Meet Growing Power, CCS Demand
2025-02-26 - Electricity needs across the U.S. are expected to soar as industrial and manufacturing facilities, data centers and other consumers crave more power. BKV is exploring ways to bridge the gap between demand and energy supply.
ADNOC Contracts Flowserve to Supply Tech for CCS, EOR Project
2025-01-14 - Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. has contracted Flowserve Corp. for the supply of dry gas seal systems for EOR and a carbon capture project at its Habshan facility in the Middle East.
Tamboran, Falcon JV Plan Beetaloo Development Area of Up to 4.5MM Acres
2025-01-24 - A joint venture in the Beetalo Basin between Tamboran Resources Corp. and Falcon Oil & Gas could expand a strategic development spanning 4.52 million acres, Falcon said.
E&P Highlights: Jan. 21, 2025
2025-01-21 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, with Flowserve getting a contract from ADNOC and a couple of offshore oil and gas discoveries.