The theme for this quarter is inorganic. Although prices climbed in the fourth quarter as the balance of supply and demand tilted in favour of demand, OPEC + restraint was fundamental.
The market is conscious of downside pressures that loom. OPEC + has announced production cuts through to the end of the first quarter. Beyond the first quarter, there is a risk that OPEC + grows weary of supporting the market and reverts to a strategy of growing production, protecting market share and placing pressure on the economics of unconventional producers. Production growth in Brazil and Norway has the potential to consume a significant portion of demand growth expected in 2020. Whether, or the extent to which, US shale output growth continues despite escalating financial strain across the E&P sector will be key in determining whether OPEC + cuts will be sufficient to balance the market in 2020.
In the longer-term, focus remains on the energy mix of the future and its impact on the demand for petroleum products. A number of significant uncertainties remain, including electric vehicle (EV) penetration. EY’s ‘Fueling the Future’ analyzes the outlook under four distinct scenarios. The analysis shows that an inflection point in EV penetration is required by 2022 if the terms of the Paris Accord are to be met.
2. Q1 overview
The fourth quarter saw a steady climb in oil prices. OPEC and Russia (OPEC +) production cuts and weak North American output growth
contributed to a significant, but likely temporary, shift from inventory build to inventory draw. OPEC + production constraint is to become
increasingly necessary in 2020 as new output comes online in Norway and Brazil. The market continues to question the sustainability of
OPEC + agreeing to concede its output to support oil prices and, indirectly and inadvertently, aid the economics of unconventional oil in
North America.
An optimum range in which prices are high enough to meet the needs of OPEC + nations, but low enough to discourage US shale
investment continues to prove elusive.
Notwithstanding optimism as to the importance of natural gas in the future energy mix, the economics of gas-focused upstream assets
and LNG infrastructure are currently under strain.
Gary Donald
EY Global Oil & Gas Assurance Leader
gdonald@uk.ey.com
Andy Brogan
EY Global Oil & Gas Leader
abrogan@uk.ey.com
Q1 | January 2020 EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlookPage 2
3. Q1 theme
The theme for this quarter is inorganic. Although prices climbed in the fourth quarter as the balance of supply and demand tilted in favour
of demand, OPEC + restraint was fundamental.
The market is conscious of downside pressures that loom. OPEC + has announced production cuts through to the end of the first quarter.
Beyond the first quarter, there is a risk that OPEC + grows weary of supporting the market and reverts to a strategy of growing
production, protecting market share and placing pressure on the economics of unconventional producers. Production growth in Brazil and
Norway has the potential to consume a significant portion of demand growth expected in 2020. Whether, or the extent to which, US shale
output growth continues despite escalating financial strain across the E&P sector will be key in determining whether OPEC + cuts will be
sufficient to balance the market in 2020.
In the longer-term, focus remains on the energy mix of the future and its impact on the demand for petroleum products. A number of
significant uncertainties remain, including electric vehicle (EV) penetration. EY’s ‘Fueling the Future’ analyzes the outlook under four
distinct scenarios. The analysis shows that an inflection point in EV penetration is required by 2022 if the terms of the Paris Accord are to
be met.
• Will (slowing) demand growth and OPEC + production cuts be enough to offset output growth driven
by the US, Norway and Brazil?
• How much will International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2020 impact the demand for refined
products and crude oil?
• When will vehicle electrification have a material impact on oil demand, oil prices and upstream asset
returns?
?
Q1 | January 2020 EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlookPage 3
4. Q1 trends
Q1 | January 2020Page 4
Oil markets rely on restraint of OPEC +
As we closed the year, OPEC + agreed (again) to curtail output
to support prices, acknowledging that demand growth alone will
not be sufficient to offset the impact of expected production
growth in Norway, Brazil and the US. Time will tell if the policy is
effective or sustainable.
Vehicle electrification is looming but not yet
impactful
The sector is mindful of the demand side risk associated with
EV penetration.
A key uncertainty in determining the outlook for demand of
petroleum products is the rate at which EV’s penetrate the
market. ‘Fueling the Future, available at ey.com, explores the
range of possibilities.
IMO 2020 causes price shocks despite being known
since 2016
High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO) prices fell more than 20% in 2019
ahead of IMO 2020. Despite the terms of IMO 2020 being
known since 2016, prices fell dramatically in the third quarter.
Uncertainties remain, including the degree of compliance and
uptake of scrubber installation.
Depressed US gas prices have triggered asset impairments and
rising US LNG exports are not expected to significantly drive
domestic gas prices upward in the short to medium term.
Low gas prices trigger asset impairments
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlook
5. Market fundamentals
Q1 | January 2020Page 5
Source: Thomson Reuters Datastream Source: IEA
• Brent and WTI averaged US$63 and US$56 per bbl, respectively, during the fourth
quarter. Although, on average, prices in the fourth quarter were largely consistent with
those realized in the third quarter, oil prices rose steadily throughout December
following the decision of OPEC + to extend production cuts. Further support was
provided by the US and China signing a temporary trade deal.
• IEA forecasts demand growth of just 1.2 million barrels per day (mpbd) in 2020 while
production growth is expected from Norway and Brazil. A key question is the extent to
which US independents can sustain output growth despite calls to reign in capital
spending.
• Demand concerns driven by an economic slowdown continue to weigh on prices,
although a “phase-1” trade deal between the US and China did provide temporary
support to prices in December.
• Oil markets ended the year undersupplied by approximately
1 mpbd.
• Steady demand growth combined with significant reductions in OPEC output more
than offset the continued, but slowing, growth in North American output.
• North American production growth continues unabated despite the market
continually questioning its ability to sustain as US independents feel financial
strain.
• Demand growth is slowing and production growth is expected from regions
outside of the US. The resilience of US shale may just be the decisive factor in the
2020 supply and demand balance.
OPEC + restraint supports minor, but meaningful, price climb Supply and demand: temporary(?) shift to undersupply
(3.5)
(3.0)
(2.5)
(2.0)
(1.5)
(1.0)
(0.5)
-
0.5
1.0
1.5
Starting
balance
Demand
growth
OPEC North America Other Ending
balance
millionbarrelsperday
Movement to oversupply
Movement to undersupply
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
US$/bbl
Brent
WTI
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlook
6. Market fundamentals
Q1 | January 2020Page 6
EV penetration: how steep will the adoption curve be?
Source: EV Volumes.com and EY Analysis
• Capital markets anticipate an eventual transition to vehicle electrification with an
adverse impact on oil demand, oil prices and asset returns.
• EY ‘Fueling the Future’ models the outlook for the energy sector under four scenarios,
including ‘Meet me in Paris’, the Paris Accord-compliant scenario. Vehicle
electrification is identified as a key disruptor in our analysis.
• EV market penetration, measured as EV sales as a percentage of road vehicle sales,
remains low at 2% and 0.5% in the US and China, respectively. Subsidy reduction
has led to slowing adoption. At current, 0% and 0.5% growth is expected in the US
and China in 2020, respectively.
• Compliance with the Paris Accord will require an inflection point to occur soon. We
estimate that meeting the goals of the Paris Accord will require EVs to capture more
than half the market before the end of the next decade. Other scenarios are possible,
and potentially more likely, based on penetration to date.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
2010 2015 2020 2025
United States China
Fueling the Future-Meet me in Paris Fueling the Future-The Long Goodbye
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlook
OPEC + extends production cuts, conceding further market share
• In December, OPEC + decided to extend and expand production cuts with a further
0.5 mbpd of supply to be withdrawn from the market until March 2020.
• There is no certainty that 0.5 mpbd will be enough. The IEA estimates oil demand
growth of 1.2 mpbd in 2020. Although relatively healthy growth, there is potential for it
to be exceeded by supply growth in the US, Norway and Brazil alone.
• Repeated efforts by OPEC + to stabilize the market have had a significant adverse
impact on its market share. Over time, the sustainability of its strategy must be
questioned. Growing fiscal demands are bound to eventually induce individual OPEC
members to resist further cuts despite their importance in balancing oil markets.
Source: IEA
33%
34%
35%
36%
37%
38%
39%
40%
2016 2017 2018 2019
OPECoilmarketshare
7. Market fundamentals
Q1 | January 2020Page 7
Depressed natural gas prices triggering impairments
Source: US EIA Annual Energy Outlook and EY analysis
• Growth in US gas output has restrained domestic spot prices for some time now.
Henry Hub prices averaged $2.6/mmbtu in 2019 versus $3.2/mmbtu in 2018, being a
fall of 19%. The US EIA now expect an average Henry Hub price of $2.5/mmbtu in
2020, compared to the $4.0/mmbtu it expected for the same period a year before.
• An expectation that low US gas prices are here to stay, at least in the medium term,
resulted in significant impairment charges across the US gas sector in 2019.
• Regression analysis on US gas export volumes and domestic gas price data indicates
that domestic gas prices are sensitive to export volumes only beyond 9 quads per
annum. This analysis indicates that rising US LNG exports will not push domestic gas
prices significantly higher in the short to medium-term.
0
2
4
6
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
HenryHubgasprice($/mmbtu)
US gas exports (quads)
High economic growth
Low economic growth
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlook
IMO 2020 takes hold on HSFO prices
• Singapore HSFO prices fell $90/MT (23%) in 2019 ahead of IMO 2020.
• IMO 2020 reduces the maximum fuel oil Sulphur limit in the marine sector from 3.5%
to 0.5% effective from 1 January 2020. Given that the marine sector is responsible for
half of global fuel oil demand, its impact is significant and far-reaching.
• When considering the markets response, significant uncertainties remain. In the short-
term, HSFO prices have fallen reflective of lower demand. However, the extent to
which scrubbers (installations that allow for the continued use of HSFO) are installed
and the degree of compliance with the revised standards remain uncertain.
• LNG markets are watching closely as LNG is considered a viable alternative to
scrubber installation in the medium to long-term.
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Jan-18 Apr-18 Jul-18 Oct-18 Jan-19 Apr-19 Jul-19 Oct-19 Jan-20 Apr-20 Jul-20 Oct-20
$/metrictonne
Futures - HSFO 180 cst Actuals - HSFO 180 cst
Source: Thomson Reuters Datastream
8. Brent futures
Q1 | January 2020Page 8
Brent futures increased in
December following OPEC and
Russia’s decision to extend
and expand production cuts.
However, the degree of
backwardation continues to
steepen as demand concerns
weigh on the future outlook.
Futures data is effective as of
16 December 2019.
Source: Thomson Reuters Datastream
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
US$/bbl
Historical Brent
Brent futures - December 2019
Brent futures - June 2019
Brent futures - December 2018
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlook
9. Q1 | January 2020Page 9
Oil price outlook
For both benchmarks, consultants (on
average) forecast higher oil prices
throughout the period.
Consultants focus primarily on the analysis of a long-
term sustainable oil price, while the banks and
brokers balance their views on the basis of current
market conditions. As a result, bank and broker
estimates are not available beyond 2023.
EY analysis does not include estimates released by
IEA in its 2019 World Economic Outlook as forecasts
commence from 2025.
In the long-term, we note high relative forecasting
uncertainty given the proven ability of identified risk
factors to move the price significantly in a short period
of time.
Consultants’ forecasts result in averages of
US$71.7/bbl and US$67.1/bbl for Brent and WTI,
respectively, in 2024.
This data is effective as of 16 December 2019.
Brent:
Brokers’ and consultants’ price estimates, ranges and averages
WTI:
Brokers’ and consultants’ price estimates, ranges
and averages
Source: Bloomberg, banks’/brokers’ reports, consensus economics, consultants’ website
US$71.7 US$67.1Brent:
Average price per bbl
forecast in 2024
WTI:
Average price per bbl
forecast in 2024
Consultants Consultants
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
$perbarrel
Bank/Broker range Consultants range
Bank/Broker average Consultants average
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
$perbarrel
Bank/Broker range Consultants range
Bank/Broker average Consultants average
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlook
10. Q1 | January 2020Page 10
Gas price outlook
For both benchmarks, consultants (on
average) forecast higher gas prices
throughout the period.
Consultants focus primarily on the analysis of a long-
term sustainable gas price, whilst the banks and
brokers balance their views on the basis of current
market conditions. As a result, bank and broker
estimates are not available beyond 2023.
EY analysis does not include estimates released by
IEA in its 2019 World Economic Outlook (WEO) as
forecasts commence from 2025.
NBP price estimates are scarce with only three
bank/broker and three consultant forecasts release.
Beyond 2021, only a single bank/broker estimate is
available.
This data is effective as of 16 December 2019.
Henry Hub:
Brokers’ and consultants’ price estimates, ranges and averages
UK NBP:
Brokers’ and consultants’ price estimates, ranges and averages
US$3.3 GBp51.8Henry Hub:
Average price per mmbtu
forecast in 2024
UK NBP:
Average price per therm
forecast in 2024
Consultants Consultants
Source: Bloomberg, banks’/brokers’ reports, consensus economics, consultants’ website
2.0
2.3
2.5
2.8
3.0
3.3
3.5
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
$permmbtu
Bank/Broker range Consultants range
Bank/Broker average Consultants average
35
40
45
50
55
60
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
GBppertherm
Bank/Broker range Consultants range
Bank/Broker average Consultants average
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlook
11. Appendix
Q1 | January 2020Page 11
Brent oil price estimates
This data is effective as of 16 December 2019.
Source: Bloomberg, banks’/brokers’ reports
Source: Consultants’ websites, Oxford Economics
Bank/broker 2020 (US$/bbl) 2021 (US$/bbl) 2022 (US$/bbl) 2023 (US$/bbl) 2024 (US$/bbl)
High 73.0 72.5 71.6 71.5
Average 62.1 62.5 64.5 64.8
Median 61.9 62.0 65.0 65.0
Low 53.0 53.0 55.0 58.0
Consultant 2020 (US$/bbl) 2021 (US$/bbl) 2022 (US$/bbl) 2023 (US$/bbl) 2024 (US$/bbl)
High 68.0 71.0 73.5 75.0 76.5
Average 64.4 67.4 68.7 70.0 71.7
Median 64.6 67.5 69.5 70.9 72.4
Low 60.5 63.5 62.2 63.1 65.4
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlook
12. Appendix
Q1 | January 2020Page 12
WTI oil price estimates
This data is effective as of 16 December 2019.
Bank/broker 2020 (US$/bbl) 2021 (US$/bbl) 2022 (US$/bbl) 2023 (US$/bbl) 2024 (US$/bbl)
High 63.0 68.5 63.0 65.0
Average 56.6 57.3 56.8 59.0
Median 55.4 55.5 55.0 59.5
Low 54.0 52.3 50.0 53.0
Source: Bloomberg, banks’/brokers’ reports
Consultant 2020 (US$/bbl) 2021 (US$/bbl) 2022 (US$/bbl) 2023 (US$/bbl) 2024 (US$/bbl)
High 62.0 65.0 67.6 70.0 72.5
Average 58.8 62.2 63.8 65.3 67.1
Median 60.0 64.4 66.9 68.3 69.7
Low 55.0 54.9 53.8 54.5 56.5
Source: Consultants’ websites, Oxford Economics
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlook
13. Appendix
Q1 | January 2020Page 13
Henry Hub gas price estimates
This data is effective as of 16 December 2019.
Source: Bloomberg, banks’/brokers’ reports
* Where brokers have reported figures in $/mcf, we have used a conversion ratio of 1.037 for mcf conversion to MMBtu.
Source: Consultants’ websites, Oxford Economics
Bank/broker 2020 (US$/MMBtu) 2021 (US$/MMBtu) 2022 (US$/MMBtu) 2023 (US$/MMBtu) 2024 (US$/MMBtu)
High 3.3 3.0 2.8 3.0
Average 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.7
Median 2.7 2.6 2.6 2.7
Low 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5
Consultant 2020 (US$/MMBtu) 2021 (US$/MMBtu) 2022 (US$/MMBtu) 2023 (US$/MMBtu) 2024 (US$/MMBtu)
High 2.8 3.0 3.3 3.3 3.4
Average 2.7 2.9 3.1 3.2 3.3
Median 2.8 3.0 3.2 3.3 3.3
Low 2.5 2.7 2.8 2.9 3.0
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlook
14. Appendix
Q1 | January 2020Page 14
NBP gas price estimates
This data is effective as of 16 December 2019.
Bank/broker 2020 (GBp/therm) 2021 (GBp/therm) 2022 (GBp/therm) 2023 (GBp/therm) 2024 (GBp/therm)
High 47.0 47.0 47.0 47.0
Average 45.0 46.6 47.0 47.0
Median 45.0 46.9 47.0 47.0
Low 43.1 46.0 47.0 47.0
Consultant 2020 (GBp/therm) 2021 (GBp/therm) 2022 (GBp/therm) 2023 (GBp/therm) 2024 (GBp/therm)
High 50.8 51.9 53.8 55.8 57.7
Average 47.4 48.4 48.8 50.3 51.8
Median 50.0 50.0 51.0 52.0 53.1
Low 41.4 43.2 41.6 43.1 44.7
Source: Bloomberg, banks’/brokers’ reports
* Where brokers have reported figures in $/mcf, we have used a conversion ratio of 1.037 for mcf conversion to MMBtu and the broker’s forecasted FX rate.
Source: Consultants’ websites, Oxford Economics
* Where consultants have reported figures in US$/MMBtu, we have used the particular consultant’s forecast FX rate for the purpose of our conversion.
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlook
15. Key contacts
Q1 | January 2020Page 15
Important notice
Price outlook data included in this publication is effective as of 16 December 2019. Given the rapidly evolving nature of the market and views of
market participants, analysis can become quickly outdated. It should be noted that EY analysis is not for the purpose of providing an independent
view of the outlook for oil and gas prices. Instead, EY are collating the views of market participants.
Price outlook data should not be applied mechanistically. Instead, careful consideration should be given to the purpose of any value assessment
with price forecasts assessed in the context of the other key assumptions, such as resources and reserves classification, production rates, discount
rates and cost escalation rates together with an appreciation of the key sensitivities in any such analysis.
Jeff Williams
EY Global Oil & Gas Advisory Leader
+ 1 713 750 5916
Gary Donald
EY Global Oil & Gas Assurance
Leader
+ 44 20 7951 751
Derek Leith
EY Global Oil & Gas Tax
Leader
+ 44 12 2465 3246
Andy Brogan
EY Global Oil & Gas Leader
+ 44 20 7951 7009
John Hartung
EY Global Oil & Gas TAS Leader
+ 1 713 751 2114
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlook