EIA data and commentary highlight production glut

The US Energy Information Administration is out with some bearish commentary on oil.

  • Raises 2015 US crude output forecast by 2.6% to 9.43m barrels per day
  • Lowers 2016 price forecasts for WTI and Brent by about $3.50
  • Raises 2015 WTI forecast to $55.35 from $54.32
  • Says oil output more resilient to lower prices than expected
  • Oil output to drop in June through early 2016
  • US output to rebound in H2 2016 as new projects begin
  • 2015 oil price high enough to support shale drilling
  • Sees 2015 non-OPEC supply at 58.16m bpd vs 57.56 in May

This is about as bearish as it gets and it highlights why the medium-term picture for oil is so negative. I just don't see how prices can hold at these levels.