寒冷的天气预计将提振本月对取暖油的需求，同时，俄罗斯海运原油出口近期大幅降至2023年8月以来最低。Crude Oil prices rose as traders weighed short-term supply risks among other factors.
WTI Crude Oil Futures increased by 0.8%, settling at approximately $74 per barrel, marking the seventh increase in the past nine trading days. Oil prices fell more than 1% on Wednesday, failing to break through a key technical level.
Crude Oil started strong in 2025, benefiting from a continued decline in USA inventories and the risks of Iranian supply during Trump's second term.
Cold weather is expected to boost heating oil demand this month, while Russia's Marine Transportation of Crude Oil exports has recently fallen to the lowest level since August 2023.
JPMorgan Analysts stated in a report on Thursday that cold weather will enhance heating oil, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas demand by 0.5 million to 0.7 million barrels per day in the first quarter.
"Winter factors account for a significant portion of energy demand, but the shift from normal to extreme cold will impact both the supply and demand for oil," said Analyst Natasha Kaneva and others in the report.
Concerns about supply potentially exceeding demand remain. Many Banks maintain their Put expectations, with Standard Chartered lowering its Brent Crude Oil price forecast for 2025 by $5 to $87 per barrel, and the first quarter forecast lowered by $7 to $82 per barrel.
WTI February Crude Oil Futures rose by 0.8%, settling at $73.92 per barrel.
Brent Crude Oil Futures for March rose by 1%, settling at $76.92 per barrel.
