據路透社9月3日報道，格林尼治標準時間08：45，布倫特原油期貨LCOc1下跌79美分，至每桶43.64美元，跌幅為1.8%。美國西德克薩斯中質原油期貨CLc1下跌67美分，至每桶40.84美元，跌幅為1.6%。周三，這兩個基準指數都下跌了2%以上。

美國能源信息署(EIA)周三公布的數據顯示，上周美國汽油需求從一周前的916萬桶/天下降至878萬桶/天，其他石油產品的消費量也有所下降。

石油經紀公司PVM的Tamas Varga表示："最新數據可能吸引了多頭投資者的注意，但美國股市收盤再創新高也無法改變市場走勢。"

其他數據，如美國8月私人雇主招聘人數連續第二個月低于預期，也加劇了對經濟復蘇滯后的擔憂。然而，伊拉克否認其尋求豁免明年第一季度的歐佩克減產配額，這為石油市場提供了一些支撐。該國表示，根據歐佩克+協議，可能尋求將歐佩克+協議下額外減產期限延長兩個月，至11月底。

分析師警告稱，即將到來的煉油廠維護集中期和夏季出行季節的結束也將限制原油需求。

澳新銀行研究(ANZ Research)周四在一份報告中稱，WTI原油面臨壓力，因為美國煉油廠指定了一長串將在未來數月停產進行維護的項目清單，這無疑將對原油需求造成巨大影響。

EIA稱，由于勞拉颶風來臨前的停工，美國煉油廠的開工率下降了5.3%，至76.7%。

AxiCorp市場策略師Stephen Innes稱："這些因素表明，隨著9月份的到來，煉油廠營運量將出現季節性下滑，石油庫存水平將上升。"

王佳晶 摘譯自 路透社

原文如下：

Oil prices extended losses on Thursday, falling to their lowest point since early August, as worries about weaker U.S. gasoline demand and a sluggish economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic dented sentiment.

Brent crude LCOc1 fell 79 cents, or 1.8%, to $43.64 a barrel by 0845 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 futures were down 67 cents, or 1.6%, at $40.84 a barrel.

Both benchmarks fell more than 2% on Wednesday.

U.S. gasoline demand last week fell to 8.78 million barrels per day (bpd) from 9.16 million bpd a week earlier, Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showed on Wednesday, with consumption of other oil products also falling. [EIA/S]

“It is the latest data set that possibly caught the eye of those who ran long positions, and not even another record close in the U.S. stock market was able to change the direction of the herd,” Tamas Varga of oil brokerage PVM said.

Other data, such as U.S. private employers hiring fewer workers than expected for a second straight month in August, also fed fears that economic recovery was lagging.

Oil markets, however, drew some support from Iraq’s denial it was seeking exemption from OPEC+ oil cuts during the first quarter of next year.

OPEC’s second largest producer also said it may seek to extend by two months until the end of November the period for making additional compensation cuts under the OPEC+ deal.

Analysts warn that the upcoming refinery maintenance and the end of the summer driving season would also limit crude demand.

WTI crude has come under pressure “after U.S. refiners earmarked a long list of maintenance closures over the coming months that will no doubt impact demand for crude oil”, ANZ Research said in a note on Thursday.

Due to shutdowns ahead of Hurricane Laura, U.S. refinery utilization rates fell by 5.3 percentage points to 76.7% of total capacity, the EIA said.

“These factors suggest a seasonal drop-off in refinery runs and higher oil inventory levels as we advance through September,” AxiCorp market strategist Stephen Innes said.