By Emeka Ugwuanyi
Global oil demand rose by more than 4.5 million barrels per day (bpd) month-on-month in February after falling a month earlier, driven by growth in China, US, Indonesia, the UK, and Japan, according to the latest update from the Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI).
Gasoline and fuel oil demand rose to record seasonal highs, while overall oil demand was marginally below year-ago levels.
Global crude oil production rose by 0.5 million barrels per day in February driven by higher production in China, and the UK. Notably, this month’s update did not include February oil data for Russia.
Global inventories of refined products fell by 3.1 million barrels while crude inventories climbed by 25 million barrels. However, total crude and product inventories remain 329 million barrels below the five-year average.
Global natural gas demand declined seasonally in February by 12.3 billion cubic metres (bcm).
EU+UK natural gas demand declined by 4.7 bcm and was about 16 percent below seasonal average levels. The region’s inventories declined by 9.3 bcm in February, slightly less than the seasonal average draw of 10.3 bcm. Inventories stood at 60 percent full at the end of the month.
Russian natural gas production declined by 5.8 bcm – in line with historical seasonal declines – and stood at a four-month low.
The JODI oil and gas databases were updated on Monday with more than 40 countries reporting data for the latest month of February 2023. A second update was issued on Tuesday with revised US data. The February data submissions account for over 60 percent of global oil demand and 50 percent of global crude production.
Oil February data highlights:
Saudi Arabia
Crude production fell by 3000 barrels per day (kbpd) to 10.45 million barrels per day (mbpd).
Crude exports dropped by 203 kbpd to 7.46 mbpd.
Crude inventories rose by 6.3 mb and product inventories declined by 6.6 mb.
China
Crude production rose by 430 kbpd to 4.06 mbpd.
Crude imports rose by 1.06 mbpd to 10.99 mbpd.
Total product demand rose by 1.46 mbpd to 15.18 mbpd.
Product exports rose by 166 kbpd to 1.73 mbpd and were 729 kbpd above year-ago levels.
United States
Crude production fell by 0.18 mbpd to 12.28 mbpd and was up 0.93 mbpd from year ago levels.
Total product demand rose by 1.19 mbpd month-on-month to 20.73 mbpd.
Crude oil closing stocks rose by 19.2 mb and product closing stocks rose by 10.3 mb.
Natural Gas February data highlights:
Natural gas demand fell seasonally by 12.3 bcm in February.
Natural gas production fell by 11.7 bcm month-on-month, less than the seasonal average of 23.2 bcm. Russian gas production declined seasonally by 5.8 bcm.
EU+UK gas consumption fell by 4.7 bcm and was at a five-year seasonal low in February. Inventories fell by 9.3 bcm to stand 60 percent full at the end of the month.
Total gas inventories dropped by 20.4 bcm month-on-month, less than the seasonal average draw of 31.4 bcm.
The full JODI oil and gas database was updated on Monday, April 17th with data through February 2023. A second update was released on Tuesday, April 18th with revised data for the US and can be viewed at jodidb.org or jodidata.org. The next update will be on Thursday, May 18th with data through March 2023.
