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    Environment and Energy

    Oil & Gas Markets & Their Impact on Steel

    Written by Peter Wright


    The energy markets, especially oil and natural gas, are major users of flat rolled steel and plate products. As oil prices have fallen the production of pipe & tube and related products for the energy segment of the economy have fallen significantly. This has had a major impact on hot rolled coil production and pricing.

    Figure 1 shows historical gas and oil prices since January 2000. The daily spot price of West Texas Intermediate fell below $100 per barrel in August and by January 23rd was down to $44.80. By April 13th, the latest daily figure available from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) the price of WTI had recovered to $51.95. Brent closed at $57.14 on the same day. Natural gas delivered to the Henry Hub in Louisiana fell below $4.00 / MM BTUs in August, there was an uptick in November but since then the price has declined every month and reached $2.67 on the 10th of April.

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