Oil Exports Up 13% in Oman by late October 2022

A gas field in Oman (Reuters)
A gas field in Oman (Reuters)
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Oil Exports Up 13% in Oman by late October 2022

A gas field in Oman (Reuters)
A gas field in Oman (Reuters)

Oman’s production of crude oil and condensate oil increased by 10.4 percent to reach 323.73 million barrels by late October 2022 compared to October 2021, according to the data published by the country’s National Center for Statistics and Information.

Crude oil production alone increased by 14.1 percent, while oil condensate production decreased by 2 percent by late October 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, Times of Oman reported on Saturday.

The average price of Omani crude oil increased by 56 percent during this period up to $96.3 per barrel, compared to $61.7 per barrel in late October 2021.

Oman’s total oil exports increased by 13.4 percent by late October 2022, compared to the same period in 2021.

Total exports amounted to 269.4 million barrels by late October 2022 compared to 237.5 million barrels in late October 2021.

Meanwhile, Oman's natural gas production (including import) increased by 2.5 percent by late October 2022 up to 43.21 billion cubic meters.

The data issued by the Center indicated an increase in natural gas consumption in the industrial sector by 13.1 percent and industrial projects by 6.9 percent.

Gas consumption witnessed a decrease in oil fields by 4.4 percent and power plants by 2.8 percent.



Gold Hits Four-week Peak on Safe-haven Demand

A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
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Gold Hits Four-week Peak on Safe-haven Demand

A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk

Gold prices rose to a near four-week high on Thursday, supported by safe-haven demand, while investors weighed how US President-elect Donald Trump's policies would impact the economy and inflation.

Spot gold inched up 0.4% to $2,672.18 per ounce, as of 0918 a.m. ET (1418 GMT). US gold futures rose 0.7% to $2,691.80.

"Safe-haven demand is modestly supporting gold, offsetting downside pressure coming from a stronger dollar and higher rates," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.

The dollar index hovered near a one-week high, making gold less appealing for holders of other currencies, while the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield stayed near eight-month peaks, Reuters reported.

"Market uncertainty is likely to persist with the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump as the next US president," Staunovo said.

Trump is considering declaring a national economic emergency to provide legal justification for a series of universal tariffs on allies and adversaries, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Trump will take office on Jan. 20 and his proposed tariffs could potentially ignite trade wars and inflation. In such a scenario, gold, considered a hedge against inflation, is likely to perform well.

Investors' focus now shifts to Friday's US nonfarm payrolls due at 08:30 a.m. ET for further clarity on the Federal Reserve's interest rate path.

Non-farm payrolls likely rose by 160,000 jobs in December after surging by 227,000 in November, a Reuters survey showed.

Gold hit a near four-week high on Wednesday after a weaker-than-expected US private employment report hinted that the Fed may be less cautious about easing rates this year.

However, minutes of the Fed's December policy meeting showed officials' concern that Trump's proposed tariffs and immigration policies may prolong the fight against rising prices.

High rates reduce the non-yielding asset's appeal.

The World Gold Council on Wednesday said physically-backed gold exchange-traded funds registered their first inflow in four years.

Spot silver rose 0.7% to $30.32 per ounce, platinum fell 0.8% to $948.55 and palladium shed 1.4% to $915.75.