Episode 139 - OPEC is..undecided | South Korean-flagged tanker seized by Iran | Chinas Wintry Cold Lifts Diesel

Published: Jan. 5, 2021, 8:15 a.m.

b'OPEC news:
OPEC+ is still undecided as to whether it will increase production
Role of additional lockdowns being announced during break between OPEC meetings
Also role of Qatar\\u2014Saudi end of airspace blockade

\\ufeffSouth Korean-flagged tanker seized by Iran, media reports
https://www.reuters.com/article/iran-tanker/update-1-south-korean-flagged-tanker-seized-by-iran-media-reports-idUSL1N2JF0L8
- Is this the next big conflagration?
- how much is this related to sanctions? South Korea is holding $7 billion of Iranian money because of US sanctions
- Are Iranians forcing the hand of the incoming US administration to see where they stand?

Oil prices touch multi-month highs as OPEC+ expected to cap output
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-oil/oil-prices-touch-multi-month-highs-as-opec-expected-to-cap-output-idUSKBN299035
- price fall today more related to US stock market falling than what\\u2019s specifically happening with oil
- What about China?

Saudi energy minister urges OPEC+ discipline as some members seek output gains
https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/oil/010421-saudi-energy-minister-urges-opec-discipline-as-some-members-seek-output-gains
- Saudi\\u2014Russia in very different positions but the stakes aren\\u2019t as high as they were back in March 2020. Fewer barrels bpd and another monthly meeting coming up.

OPEC secgen says ready to adjust oil output increases
https://uk.reuters.com/article/oil-opec/opec-secgen-says-ready-to-adjust-oil-output-increases-idUKL8N2IJ3OW

China\\u2019s Wintry Cold Lifts Diesel Use as Factories Buy Generators
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-03/china-s-wintry-cold-lifts-diesel-use-as-factories-buy-generators
- bottlenecks like import restrictions. Leaving coal on the boat in the ocean. It\\u2019s paid for and sitting in China\\u2019s harbors.

December diesel demand crawls up to 97% of pre-pandemic level
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/80063323.cms
- mixed indicators of good and bad economic growth, just like in the U.S.

Investors challenge ExxonMobil on multiple fronts
https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news/2173720-investors-challenge-exxonmobil-on-multiple-fronts

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