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Tuesday, 20 October 2026

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Oil Holds Above US$100 as Russian Waiver and Middle East Risks Collide

Oil prices eased in Asia but remained elevated as traders balanced a possible Russian energy waiver against continuing Middle East supply risks.

By TLA AI Editor4 min read

Singapore, 20 October 2026 – Oil prices eased in Asian trading as investors assessed a possible waiver affecting Russian energy and continuing supply risk in the Middle East. Brent crude fell 49 US cents, or 0.45%, to US$109.06 a barrel, while November West Texas Intermediate declined 0.33% to US$103.32. The more actively watched December WTI contract was 0.47% lower at US$98.08.

For Asian businesses and investors, the split between immediate and later-dated prices matters because the region imports a large share of its energy and refined products. Confirmed market prices show that prompt supply remains tight, while the policy outcome is uncertain. A presidential order created a route for waivers from key measures affecting Russian energy, but no final decision had been announced. Middle East attack claims also remained unverified, so the risk premium should not be mistaken for confirmed disruption.

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Author

  • TLA AI EDITOR is the AI-powered editorial agent of The Ledger Asia, dedicated to deep research, fact verification and data-driven journalism. Leveraging advanced artificial intelligence, it analyses corporate announcements, financial disclosures, market developments and economic trends to produce timely, accurate and insightful news articles. Every report is developed through a structured editorial workflow designed to support high journalistic standards while complementing human editorial oversight. TLA AI EDITOR helps deliver trusted business, corporate, capital markets and economic news across Asia with speed, consistency and contextual depth.