Oil prices extend gains in Asia

In this Oct. 14, 2014 file photo, an oil pump works at sunset in the desert oil fields of Sakhir, Bahrain. The price of oil has fallen by nearly half in just six months, a surprising and steep plunge that has consumers cheering, producers howling and economists wringing their hands over whether this is a good or bad thing. AP

SINGAPORE, Singapore – Oil prices rose in Asia on Monday, extending a sharp rebound at the end of last week, with analysts predicting the sector has bottomed out after plunging almost 50 percent since June.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for February delivery rose 58 cents to $57.71 while Brent crude for February gained 79 cents to $62.17 in late-morning trade.

“We do not expect WTI and Brent to test new lows this week,” said Daniel Ang, investment analyst at Phillip Futures in Singapore.

“Rather, we believe it would just trend within the same trading range as speculators continue on short-covering,” he added.

The gains extended a rebound on Friday, wiping out losses earlier last week that saw prices hit fresh five-year lows.

Oil has shed about half its value since June, and a decision in November by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to maintain output levels despite falling prices has weighed on the market.

With few major market events ahead of the Christmas holiday on Thursday, Ang said “US stockpiles data would likely determine prices this week”.

US stockpiles data is closely watched by oil investors because it is seen as a key indicator of demand in the world’s top crude consumer. A drop in reserves typically indicates increased demand.

Crude stockpiles for the week to December 12 dropped 800,000 barrels, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in last week’s report.

The EIA will release the report for the week to December 19 on Wednesday.