Analysts at investment bank Credit Suisse cut their 2015 benchmark global oil price expectations in the face of bearish fundamentals, forecasting Brent to average $97 per barrel and WTI to average $89/bbl. All eyes are on Saudi Arabian exports, which are currently at the lower end of the historical spectrum and could decrease further when two new refineries start up over the next year. “’Saudi exports are already at the bottom of their range, but the 800,000 b/d of export refineries up and running should allow exports to fall below 5.5 million b/d,’ they [Credit Suisse analysts] said. The real downside risk to oil prices is seeing this export figure going up through 2015, they added.” [Platts]

Gazprom’s total natural gas exports to Europe were down 24% in September compared to last year. Gas supply is caught up in geopolitical and financial wrangling between Russia, Ukraine and European consumers due to Russia’s annexation of Crimea and aggression toward Ukraine. “Experiencing a drop in gas deliveries, Poland temporarily suspended supplies to Ukraine last month in order to fill up its own tanks. Hungary last week suspended deliveries of gas to Ukraine ‘indefinitely,’ the BBC reported. Gazprom shortly after agreed to boost deliveries to Hungary, according to Reuters. Gazprom head Alexei Miller had said in July that his company could ‘impose restrictions’ if any reverse flow of gas towards Ukraine was detected, while the EU has repeatedly insisted that such deliveries are legal.” [Moscow Times]

Politicians and real estate developers are pushing back against the wind industry in Oklahoma due to what they consider overly generous subsidies and powerful lobbying clout. “Today, many of the same political leaders who initially welcomed the wind industry want to regulate it more tightly, even in red states like Oklahoma, where candidates regularly rail against government interference. The change of heart is happening as wind farms creep closer to more heavily populated areas.” [AP via Fuel Fix]