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Ecuador’s government was forced out of the capital, Quito, by violent protests earlier this week. The country is already in an uneasy state with the vulnerable economy that has been battered by lack of public transportation and blocked roads. These violent protests stem from President Moreno’s decision to cut subsidies which led to an extremely sharp increase in gas prices. Gas prices in Ecuador have increased up to 120%.  Due to these protests, the state-owned energy company Petroamazonas was forced to stop production after the fields were taken over by people not affiliated with the organization. The government has also deployed the army to key locations to safeguard the nation’s resources.

In 2018, the United States petroleum production increased 16% while simultaneously increasing natural gas production by 12%.  According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), “these totals combined established a new production record.”  The United States has been the largest producer of natural gas since it passed Russia in 2011, and last year the U.S. surpassed Saudi Arabia to become the largest producer of petroleum.  All signs indicate that the U.S. will continue to expand their production prominence, and over the next decade, the U.S. is set to account for 61% of all new global oil and gas production, nearly nine times the amount of Canada who projects to be second on the production increase list. 

Tensions in the Middle East rose again over the weekend after reports indicated that four oil vessels were “attacked” or “sabotaged” at the mouth of the Persian Gulf near Fujairah Emirate, just outside of the Strait of Hormuz.  The United Arab Amirates (UAE) stated that the damaged ships were two crude oil tankers owned by Saudi Arabian shipping firm Bahri, one fuel bunker barge flying a UAE flag and Norwegian oil products tanker owned by Thome Ship management.  These reports are still largely unconfirmed, but come as no surprise given the recent rhetoric and geopolitical tensions facing the region.

It has been a wild Monday for traders after President Trump tweeted yesterday that the United States will increase tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports, which, is casting doubt on the likelihood of a successful U.S. and Chinese trade deal.

Oil prices are taking a breather today after Wednesday’s strong rally due in large part to the gasoline inventory draw and low production levels in Venezuela.