Oil & Gas – Macro Outlook: Current prices are not sustainable

The oil market was late in appreciating the significance of the shale revolution and slowing demand growth. Arguably, however, the 50% plunge in prices in the second half of 2014 was excessive and is setting the scene for a rebound. Sub $60/barrel prices are below fully accounted costs for a wide swathe of projects. Sharp investment cutbacks are likely, which is particularly relevant for high depletion rate shale oil producers. The price trend may remain soft during early 2015 reflecting a continuing supply surplus. By the second half, however, we would expect a firming tendency once the significance of financing constraints and likely slowing US production growth are assimilated. Medium term, we believe a price ceiling could emerge at $75-80/barrel given the new found elasticity of supply through shale development, capacity additions in Brazil, Canada and Iraq and structural issues slowing demand growth.

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