by TonyPrep » Wed 10 Dec 2008, 04:02:39
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mkwin', 'W')ell SA apparently had 2mbpd in heavy crude but, even if you don't believe that, Nigeria had a significant amount of locked in capacity due to its civil unrest.
Given prices are falling to 2003 levels it would seem logical spare capcity is now there also.
If demand actually declines next year (say by 2 mbpd) we would have 6 mbpd spare capacity - $30 oil anyone?
Spare capacity is that capacity that can be brought into production within a short time (I can't remember if it's 30 days or 90 days) and can be maintained for a significant time (several months, at least). I'm not sure Nigeria's so-called spare capacity fits those criteria.
It is also not logical to suggest that prices at 2003 levels would see spare capacity at the same levels as 2003. If many producers are on the decline and many millions of barrels per day of extra capacity is needed just to replace declines, then there is certainly no guarantee that consumption will fall enough to allow such spare capacity to be realised.
According to the latest EIA estimates, in their STEO, September production was virtually the same as consumption, whilst both October's and November's consumption exceeded production. If they are right, there is little market driven reason to suppose prices will not rise soon. However, markets are all over the place, at the moment, so who knows?