Q41 - Demand and Supply

• The Role of Financial Speculation in Driving the Price of Crude Oil

  Staff Discussion Paper 2011-6 Ron Alquist, Olivier Gervais

  Over the past 10 years, financial firms have increased the size of their positions in the oil futures market. At the same time, oil prices have increased dramatically.

  Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff discussion papers Topic(s): International topics JEL Code(s): G, G1, G12, Q, Q4, Q41

• The Outlook for the Global Supply of Oil: Running on Faith?

  Staff Discussion Paper 2009-9 Olivier Gervais, Ilan Kolet

  The dramatic reduction in global demand, and the decline in the spot price of crude oil in the second half of last year, may have significant implications for the future supply of oil. Investments in conventional methods of extraction have been constrained, since easily accessible oil reserves are typically concentrated in countries with geopolitical uncertainty and/or state-run oil companies.

  Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff discussion papers Topic(s): Business fluctuations and cycles, Inflation and prices, International topics JEL Code(s): Q, Q4, Q41, Q43