The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects global liquid fuels production to increase by 1.0 million barrels per day next year. EIA expects OPEC+ production cuts will remain in place through the end of 2024 and offset non-OPEC production growth. EIA expects a slight decline in global oil inventories in early 2024.

In its November Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), EIA forecasts Brent crude oil prices will average about $93 per barrel in 2024, up by more than $9 per barrel from this year. Risks of supply disruptions and price volatility are heightened amid potential conflict spreading in the Middle East.

Although the conflict between Israel and Hamas has not affected physical oil supply at this point, uncertainties surrounding the conflict and other global oil supply conditions could put upward pressure on crude oil prices in the coming months, EIA said.

In addition, EIA forecasts that US motorists will consume less gasoline per capita in 2024, resulting in the lowest gasoline consumption in two decades.

US motorists are driving less because they aren’t commuting to work every day, newer gasoline-fueled vehicles are more efficient, and there are more electric vehicles on the road. Put those trends together with high gasoline prices and high inflation, and we find that US motorists are using less gasoline.

—EIA Administrator Joe DeCarolis

Other highlights from the November STEO include:

• Coal markets. Record coal demand from Europe and Asia is driving US coal exports to return to pre-pandemic levels. EIA expects US coal production to fall in 2024 as the domestic electric power sector generates more power from renewable resources, such as solar and wind, rather than coal.

• Electricity consumption. US electricity consumption will increase next year, and the largest increase will be in the residential sector. Winter conditions in 2024 will be colder and summer temperatures will be warmer than in 2023, which contributes to higher consumption. Electricity consumption will also increase in the commercial and industrial sectors.