📈 Global Oil Prices Retreat Amid De-escalation & Supply Boost

Oil prices softened on Friday as international efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. measures to increase supply eased supply chain anxieties. This provides a potential cooling effect on global energy costs, critical for Sri Lanka’s fuel imports and inflation management. • Price Movements: Brent futures fell 1.3% to $107.29/bbl, while WTI dropped 2.0% to $94.22/bbl. Despite the daily dip, Brent remains on track for a nearly 4% weekly gain following recent geopolitical tensions in the Gulf. • Supply & Logistics: Strait of Hormuz: European nations and Japan have committed to ensuring safe passage through this chokepoint, which handles 20% of global oil and LNG. U.S. Interventions: The U.S. may remove sanctions on stranded Iranian oil and consider further Strategic Petroleum Reserve releases. Production: North Dakota's output is expected to rise as inactive wells restart, adding further downward pressure on prices. • Market Outlook: Analysts suggest that while "war premiums" are unwinding due to diplomatic engagement, the market remains sensitive. Any fresh hits to energy infrastructure or tanker routes could quickly reverse these gains. _Source: Reuters (Provisional Data)_ ---