Step 4: Discuss World Oil Price Movements

INBOX (1 NEW EMAIL)

From:Elisa Izuki, Managing Director

To:You and Frank Marinara, MCS Senior Partner Finance

Good afternoon,

I am requesting your attendance at the upcoming junior partner meeting. The primary objective of this meeting is to discuss the concerns held by ExxonMobil about world oil prices. Based on your analysis last week of the oil and gas industry's economic model, I'd like you to contribute your insights to the project meeting. Looking forward to having a productive and informative working session.

Sincerely,

This is a good moment for you, as you are the only employee in the meeting that is not at the executive level. This is your time to shine!

As the meeting approaches, Frank briefs you on the key points of discussion:

• Exxon has been concerned about developments in the world supply of crude oil. Both Venezuela and Iran have very significant proven oil reserves. Both countries are under sanctions from the US to restrict or prevent them from selling oil.
• To put things into perspective, the world production of crude oil is just over 100 million barrels per day. The U.S. produces about 12 million barrels and all of OPEC about 30 million barrels. As of early 2019, Venezuela produces just over 1 million barrels down from a peak of 6 million barrels. Iran also produces over 1 million barrels.
• Both Venezuela and Iran need the "hard currency" that comes from the sale of crude oil and refined products.
• Russia and China have the technology and expertise to help these countries expand their production and sale of oil.However, Russia relies on the sale of its own oil and gas as a main source of income and has an incentive to avoid the decline of oil prices when Venezuela increases production.
• MCS has been tasked by ExxonMobil with looking at new research into the world price of oil. Find one current article about the price of crude oil and post it in the discussion.Discuss the likely price movements of oil over the next few weeks. What are the analyst's main concerns? Please provide a link to any sources that you use.