march 2000 highlights international oil markets world prices how high will they go our forecast this month is that the price should remain for most of year as inventories are expected to low even with an assumed increase in opec production 1 million barrels per day beginning april average cost barrel crude imported into united states and delivered us refiners benchmark used from 26 65 first quarter 27 second after we expect a gradual falling off throughout rest 2001 end between 22 25 50 by fourth figure note comparison purposes west texas intermediate generally about 2 higher than brent 0 00 normal uncertainty range around could be 28
