Coquest

Your Daily Energy Report for December 18, 2025

Posted on 2025-12-18

Crude Oil

Crude Oil futures for January settled up $.21 or .375% at $56.15. Oil prices increased on Thursday, continuing a recovery from multi-year lows as traders reacted to intensifying geopolitical tensions. A total maritime stoppage for sanctioned oil tankers operating near Venezuela was ordered after US forces recently intercepted a prohibited vessel in the region. Concurrently, global supply concerns are rising due to Washington's plan to impose stricter penalties on Russia’s energy sector to facilitate peace talks regarding Ukraine. Fresh EIA data indicated a 1.27 million barrel contraction in domestic crude reserves, which slightly exceeded the anticipated 1.1 million barrel decline. Finally, the storage center in Cushing, Oklahoma experienced its most significant inventory drop in roughly sixty days, even as stocks of other refined products moved higher.

​​​​​Natural Gas

Natural Gas futures for January settled down -$.116 or -2.883% at $3.908. Natural gas prices experienced a downturn today as a recent storage report underdelivered on the inventory depletion traders had hoped for. Specifically, the EIA announced a 167 Bcf dip in stockpiles, which was notably less than the consensus estimate and triggered a wave of selling. Persistent bearish sentiment is being further fueled by a warm forecast spanning the end of the year, effectively dampening the necessity for residential heating. Technical indicators confirm this weakness, as the price was unable to overcome established resistance levels before sliding toward fresh monthly lows. With total supplies still hovering at 3,579 Bcf, the lack of a significant weather catalyst suggests that the path of least resistance for the commodity remains downward.
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