Brent's average price will be close to $70 a barrel in 2019: Paul Hickin

'India's appetite for diesel is set to witness robust growth in the second quarter of CY19', said Hickin

Brent crude oil prices have climbed over 16 per cent in the calendar year 2019 (CY19), so far. London–based PAUL HICKIN, associate director at S&P Global Platts, tells Puneet Wadhwa that the bigger demand questions would centre around the appetite for Iranian crude oil if the US takes a harder line than the market expects. Edited excerpts:

What’s your outlook for crude oil?

Brent crude will likely stay in a holding pattern and average close to $70 a barrel in 2019. But, the balance remains fragile as production cuts by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and sanctions on