Oil Prices Drop: Brent at $79.49, WTI at $76.36 per Barrel

Brent crude futures declined 0.45% to $79.49 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures fell 0.31% to $76.36 per barrel. More than 12 million barrels crossed the Strait of Hormuz overnight, indicating a recovery in shipping activity. OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais stated that demand is not expected to peak soon and dismissed predictions of an imminent supply glut. Analysts suggest oil prices could trade between $75 and $82 per barrel in the near term, highlighting market caution regarding normalization of shipping operations.