Fears about a recession in the global economy, which may come due to the crisis in the energy market, dropped Brent prices by 7% during July.  To date, the cost of a barrel has fallen below $103.  Industry analysts are convinced that quotes will fall by a few more dollars and remain at this level until the end of 2022, Interfax reports.

 To date, the main threat to oil prices are the risks of a recession in the global economy.  Over the past months, experts have been predicting it against the backdrop of a significant increase in the cost of energy products, provoked by the sanctions confrontation and the subsequent redistribution of supplies in the global market.

 “A drop in demand would lead to a decrease in prices in the medium term, but we have a global regulator - OPEC+. It will simply reduce production quotas if demand sags significantly,” Alexander Frolov, deputy director general of the National Energy Institute, said.

 US President Joe Biden visited Saudi Arabia last weekend.  As a result of the talks, the American side announced agreements with the kingdom, which will assume obligations to maintain balance in the world oil market.  In particular, the United States "welcomed the 50% increase in production levels compared to what was planned for July and August".

 An increase in supply on the market would further push oil prices down, however, according to Frolov's calculations, in the short term the kingdom will be able to bring an additional 85,000 barrels per day to the market.  "This is an extremely small value against the backdrop of Russia's lagging behind and short deliveries to the market from such countries as, for example, Libya," Frolov explained.

 Analysts polled by Interfax agree that the price of Brent in the second half of the year will be about $100/bbl.

In addition to the recession and the subsequent deterioration in demand, a new wave of the pandemic could affect the price correction.  The market has already experienced a decrease in demand from China due to the introduction of severe restrictions on the coronavirus.  It is possible that similar measures may be introduced in other countries, given the observed increase in the incidence.  In particular, WHO this week stated a new wave of COVID-19 in Europe and called for prompt action.

 Analysts at Bank of America in the base scenario see the cost of Brent in 2022 at $102/bbl, but at the same time they allow the price to fall to $75/bbl.  during a recession or growth to $150/bbl.  in the event of new European sanctions against supplies from the Russian Federation.

 The worst-case scenario was voiced by JPMorgan: oil prices could "fly into the stratosphere" - up to $380/bbl.  This is possible if Russia's production is reduced to 5 million bpd.  According to analysts, Moscow can take such a measure without undue harm to its own economy if Western countries impose a ceiling on oil prices from the Russian Federation.

 Analysts of the American Citigroup see the other extreme, who predict that in the event of a recession, prices will fall to $65/bbl. This forecast is based on a scenario that excludes intervention by OPEC+ countries in the market and assumes a decrease in investment in the oil and gas industry, the bank notes in a report.