(Editor’s Note: This story is one in a series providing expert forecasts for the global natural gas and oil markets in 2022. Look for NGI’s extensive coverage of what happened in 2021 and what can be expected in 2022 and beyond in terms of prices, the LNG export markets, ESG, Mexico’s production and project prospects, North American midstream infrastructure plans and exploration and production strategies.)

oil spot prices

With global benchmark oil prices already hovering around $80/bbl on strong demand early in the year — despite a surge in coronavirus cases — analysts said consumption could reach record levels this year and potentially drive the cost of crude into the triple digits.

“Clearly this Omicron still presents uncertainty,” said Samco Capital Markets Inc.’s Jacob Thompson,...