WTI crude fell to its 52-week low of $64.78 per barrel on Sep. 10, 2024. It reached its 52-week high of $91.09 on Oct. 20, 2023. That’s 17.51% higher than the current futures price.

Adding to the complex market dynamics, the American Petroleum Institute (API) reported that US crude oil inventories decreased by 1.5 million barrels during the week. This decline was less than the anticipated drop of 2.1 million barrels, marking the second consecutive weekly decrease but suggesting that demand may not be as robust as expected.

The threat of a wider Israel-Iran war has yet to disrupt the physical flow of oil from Iran or other Gulf states in any major way. Crude prices haven't seemed to notice. Benchmark U.S. futures continued their steep climb Monday,