WTI Crude Rallies Amid Counter-Seasonal Draws and Texas Freeze Concerns
WTI Crude Oil Futures showed considerable strength yesterday on low EIA inventories, geopolitical risk, and Texas freeze risk.
WTI Crude Oil Futures (February)
Tuesday’s Settlement: 73.13, up +1.41 [+1.97%]
WTI Crude Oil Futures showed considerable strength yesterday on low EIA inventories, geopolitical risk, Texas freeze risk. Yesterday’s EIA report showed the sixth straight week of counter-seasonal draws in crude oil as refinery utilization showed a surprise tick upwards.

Results of the EIA report are as follows [thousand bbls]:
- Crude Oil: -1,178 vs -2,350 estim
- Gasoline: +7,717 vs +1,000 estim
- Distillates: +6,406 vs -1,150 estim
- Refinery Utilization: +0.20% vs -0.25% estim
Today, futures are up +0.27 [+0.37%] to 73.40
The macro environment is trading fractured with a risk-on tilt. Equities are higher alongside bonds while gold is lower, silver is higher, and the Dollar is weaker.
On the data front we get ISM Manufacturing data today at 9am, estimates are for 48.2 while ISM Prices Paid estimates are for 51.8.
Something To Note:
There were reports yesterday that Israel was sending negotiators to Doha for a last ditch effort to negotiate a hostage deal with Hamas. While any type of deal is a long-shot, it should be noted by traders as we head into the weekend.
Technical Analysis
Yesterday, we wanted to see volume trading and a settlement above the major three-star resistance level of 72.43*** to confirm the morning move higher. The rip higher was confirmed as we settled at 73.40 and made a high of 73.73 as futures showed solid strength throughout the session.
Today, crude is trading higher for the fifth straight trading session. Intraday levels include support at 72.62, resistance at yesterday’s high of 73.73, and a pivot and point of balance at 73.15.
While we continue to have a bullish bias – we have seen a considerable move from the pre-Christmas, high 60 handle we were trading in before. Traders would be prudent to take some level of profits on bullish positioning here in the mid 70’s as we head into the weekend.
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