INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The IEA kept its 2019 forecast for global oil demand growth at 1.4 million bpd.London: Oil prices slipped on Friday after China reported
slower economic growth, pointing to lower fuel demand in the world's biggest oil importer, although market sentiment was supported by supply
cuts agreed last week by major crude producers.Benchmark Brent crude was down 30 cents at $61.15 per barrel by 1100 GMT or 4:30 pm IST, on
course for a decline this week of around 1 per cent
light crude was 25 cents lower at $52.33.China, the world's No.2 economy, on Friday reported some of its slowest growth in retail sales and
industrial output in years, highlighting the risks of the country's trade dispute with the United States.Chinese oil refinery throughput in
November fell from October, suggesting an easing in oil demand, though runs were 2.9 per cent above levels a year earlier.Concerned by
mounting oversupply, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil producers including Russia agreed last week to
reduce output by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd), or more than 1 per cent of global demand."For the time being until the OPEC cuts start
kicking in, the market is oversupplied in the short term," said Tony Nunan, oil risk manager at Mitsubishi Corp
"If China is slowing down, that's definitely a concern."The International Energy Agency said on Thursday that it expected a deficit in oil
supply to emerge by the second quarter of next year, provided OPEC members and other key producers stuck closely to last week's deal to cut
output."The OPEC cuts will have a substantial impact on 1Q19 balances compared with this quarter, but market observers may need to wait for
the cuts to percolate to inventory data," Barclays analyst Michael Cohen said in a note.As part of the agreement, de facto OPEC leader Saudi
Arabia plans to reduce its output to 10.2 million bpd in January.The IEA kept its 2019 forecast for global oil demand growth at 1.4 million
bpd, unchanged from its projection last month, and said it expected growth of 1.3 million bpd this year."Our market balance looks 0.5
million bpd tighter next year on reduced OPEC supply, such that the surplus is just 0.2 million bpd," Cohen said.
