An oil rig extracts crude on July 21, 2008 in Taft, California. A new report by Verisk Maplecroft says instability in key oil producing countries is on the rise. David McNew / Getty
An oil rig extracts crude on July 21, 2008 in Taft, California. A new report by Verisk Maplecroft says instability in key oil producing countries is on the rise. David McNew / Getty

Brent soars to $71 a barrel for the first time since 2014



Oil hit US$71 (Dh260.78) a barrel on Thursday for the first time since 2014, supported by Opec-led supply curbs, a record-breaking run of declines in US crude inventories and a weaker US dollar.

Opec and allies including Russia began to curb supplies in 2017. An involuntary drop in Venezuela's output in recent months has deepened the impact of the curbs.

Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, hit $71.20 a barrel – the highest since early December 2014. At 1053 GMT, Brent eased to $70.81, still up 28 cents.

US crude climbed to $66.44, also the highest since early December 2014, before dipping to $66.05, up 44 cents.

"The continuous fall in US oil inventories and the prolonged weakness in the US dollar have done the trick," said Tamas Varga of broker PVM, referring to oil hitting a new high.

The supply cuts led by Opec and Russia started a year ago and are aimed at getting rid of excess supply that had weighed on prices. They are set to last throughout 2018.

In a further sign the glut is clearing, US crude inventories fell for a record 10th straight week to the lowest since February 2015, official figures showed on Wednesday.

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Also supporting oil, the US dollar hit its lowest since December 2014 against a basket of other currencies. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Wednesday a weaker dollar was "good for us".

A falling dollar makes dollar-denominated commodities cheaper for other currency holders and tends to support oil prices.

"The depreciation of the US dollar is also allowing oil prices to make further gains," said Carsten Fritsch, analyst at Commerzbank. "Almost every commodity class is being driven up by this extended dollar fall."

Casting a shadow over the oil rally is the spectre of growing output of US shale oil, as higher prices encourage more investment in expanding supplies.

US crude oil production is expected to surpass 10 million barrels per day in February, on the way to a record ahead of previous forecasts, according to the US government's Energy Information Administration.

Race card

4pm Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

4.35pm Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m

5.10pm Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m

5.45pm Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m

6.20pm Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m

6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m

7.30pm Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m

The National selections:

4pm Zabardast

4.35pm Ibn Malik

5.10pm Space Blues

5.45pm Kimbear

6.20pm Barney Roy

6.55pm Matterhorn

7.30pm Defoe

Secret Pigeon Service: Operation Colomba, Resistance and the Struggle to Liberate Europe
Gordon Corera, Harper Collins

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet

Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder

Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km

Election pledges on migration

CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections" 

SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom" 

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 

The Kingfisher Secret
Anonymous, Penguin Books

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Match info

Australia 580
Pakistan 240 and 335

Result: Australia win by an innings and five runs

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5