據路透社5月5日報道，隨著美國和歐洲部分地區放松封鎖，這預示著夏季燃料需求有望增加，抵消了對印度和日本感染病例增加的擔憂，石油價格周三連續第三天上漲。

　　格林尼治標準時間10：08，布倫特原油價格上漲93美分，至每桶69.81美元，漲幅1.4%。美國西德克薩斯中質原油(WTI)上漲85美分，至每桶66.54美元，漲幅1.3%。兩種期貨合約的日內交易均觸及3月中旬以來的最高水平。

　　石油經紀商PVM的斯蒂芬?布倫諾克(Stephen Brennock)表示:“油價回到每桶70美元的預期正在慢慢地成為現實。”

　　在油價飆升之際，人們預計，隨著西方經濟體重現復蘇，需求將保持強勁。的確，市場對今年夏季美國和歐洲燃料和能源使用量回升的預期很高。

　　同時，原油價格也受到美國庫存大幅下降的支撐。

　　據兩名市場消息人士稱，美國石油協會(API)報告稱，截至4月30日當周，原油庫存減少770萬桶，這是路透社調查分析師預期的三倍多。此外，汽油庫存減少了530萬桶。

　　交易商正在等待美國能源信息署（EIA）的數據，看看官方數據是否會顯示出如此大的降幅。聯邦銀行分析師Vivek Dhar在一份報告中稱："如果EIA證實了這個數據，這將是1月底以來的最大單周降幅。"

　　另外，美國和歐洲新冠肺炎疫苗的推出，推動油價上漲至近兩個月高位。

　　歐元區商業活動上月加速，因歐元區占主導地位的服務業擺脫了新一輪封鎖限制，恢復增長。德國商業銀行分析師Eugen Weinberg稱："出行限制的部分解除，預期旅游業將在不久的將來恢復正常水平，加上每桶70美元這一重要心理關口的吸引力，都可能是價格上漲的原因。"

　　這抵消了印度燃料需求下降的影響。要知道，印度是世界第三大石油消費國，目前正與新冠病例激增作斗爭。不過，荷蘭國際集團(ING Economics)的分析師在談到印度的情況時表示：“如果我們最終看到了印度全國實施封鎖，那么這可能會打擊市場人氣。”

　　王佳晶 摘譯自 路透社

　　原文如下：

　　Oil nears $70 as easing Western lockdowns boost summer demand outlook

　　Oil prices rose for a third day on Wednesday as easing of lockdowns in the United States and parts of Europe heralded a boost in fuel demand in summer season and offset concerns about the rise of COVID-19 infections in India and Japan.

　　Brent crude rose 93 cents, or 1.4%, to $69.81 a barrel at 1008 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 85 cents, or 1.3%, to $66.54 a barrel.

　　Both contracts hit the highest level since mid-March in intra-day trade.

　　"A return to $70 oil is edging closer to becoming reality," said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM.

　　"The jump in oil prices came amid expectations of strong demand as western economies reopen. Indeed, anticipation of a pick-up in fuel and energy usage in the United States and Europe over the summer months is running high," he said.

　　Crude prices were also supported by a large fall in U.S. inventories.

　　The American Petroleum Institute (API) industry group reported crude stockpiles fell by 7.7 million barrels in the week ended April 30, according to two market sources. That was more than triple the drawdown expected by analysts polled by Reuters. Gasoline stockpiles fell by 5.3 million barrels.

　　Traders are awaiting data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration due at 10:30 a.m. EDT (1430 GMT) on Wednesday to see if official data shows such a large fall.

　　"If confirmed by the EIA, that would mark the largest weekly fall in the official data since late January," Commonwealth Bank analyst Vivek Dhar said in a note.

　　The rise in oil prices to nearly two-month highs has been supported by COVID-19 vaccine rollouts in the United States and Europe.

　　Euro zone business activity accelerated last month as the bloc's dominant services industry shrugged off renewed lockdowns and returned to growth.

　　"The partial lifting of mobility restrictions, the expectation that tourism will return in the near future, and the lure of the psychologically important $70 mark are all likely to have contributed to the price rise," Commerzbank analyst Eugen Weinberg said.

　　This has offset a drop in fuel demand in India, the world's third-largest oil consumer, which is battling a surge in COVID-19 infections.

　　"However, if we were to eventually see a national lockdown imposed, this would likely hit sentiment," ING Economics analysts said of the situation in India.