Weak economic growth and high oil prices are likely to contain global oil demand in 2012 and cap it in 2013, the International Energy Agency said on Wednesday.

"The pace of oil demand growth is expected to remain relatively steady over the next 18 months, with annual gains of just 0.8 million barrels per day in both 2012 and 2013," the agency said in its latest Oil Market Report.

"This modest growth rate reflects the combined effects of sluggish global economic activity, historically elevated oil prices and global improvements in energy efficiency."

With Brent futures indicating that prices would remain above $100 in 2012 before dipping to just below $99 in 2013, the persistently high prices are giving consumers an incentive to cut consumption.

"This is best encapsulated by the rapid decline in global oil intensity, which is forecast to fall by 2.3 per cent in 2012 and 2.5 per cent in 2013, a greater decline rate than the previous 15 year average of 2.2 per cent," said the agency.

Oil intensity is a measure of the role of oil in the overall mix of energy supplies.

With the growth of the global economy expected to be merely 3.3 per cent in 2012 and 3.6 per cent in 2013, the weak macroeconomic backdrop is also expected to cap oil demand growth, the IEA said.

The IEA, an offshoot of the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, was created as a result of the oil crises of the 1970s to monitor energy markets, advise OECD countries on energy policy and to oversee strategic oil reserves.

Europe showed the weakest growth trend as it struggles with a public debt crisis, with demand seen declining 2.6 per cent in 2012, the IEA observed.

Asian OECD countries are expected on the other hand to post growth of 3.3 per cent on the back of Japanese nuclear outages.

However, a gradual recovery of nuclear capacity in Japan is expected to reduce demand for oil in Asia, leading to a decline of 1.9 per cent in 2013, while a "more robust European economic outlook in 2013, with GDP (gross domestic product) growth of 0.8 per cent", would result in a modest decline of 1.3 per cent for the region.

Oil output by Iran meanwhile continued to fall, declining by 50,000 barrels per day to 2.85 mbd for the whole of the month of August, as Western sanctions over its controversial nuclear programme hurt demand.

However, its exports emerged from a trough in July, and signs show that further gains may be made in September with China, South Korea and India among to boost imports during the month.

In August, Turkey showed the biggest increase in appetite for Iranian imports in August which were up around 150 kbd to 200 kbd. Malaysia's imports also rose by 100 kbd to 130 kbd.

However, the IEA said the growth may be temporary as the West appeared set to tighten sanctions.

"Both US and European officials look poised to tighten sanctions further given the lack of progress in negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme," it said.

Overall, OPEC crude supply fell by 0.1 mbd month on month to 90.8 mbd in August, with Nigeria, Angola and Iraq posting the biggest increases, while non-OPEC supply dipped 0.2 mbd in August from a month ago.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries predicted on Tuesday that world oil demand will reach 88.74 mbpd in 2012, up from the previous estimate of 88.72 mbpd, and higher than 87.89 mbpd in 2011.

channelnewsasia.com