Oil prices retreated on Thursday, amidst rising U.S. crude inventories and upbeat production levels. However, Washington sanctions against Venezuela and OPEC supply cuts supported the markets. As a result, Brent crude dipped by 1.7% to 61.63 USD/bbl, while WTI crude plunged by 2.5% to 52.64 USD/bbl.

British wholesale gas prices lost ground on Thursday, pressured by the expectations of a stronger output from the country’s wind farms. NBP spot price dropped by 1.6% to 49.85 p/therm, while the contract for March 2019 delivery edged 0.1% lower at 49.81 p/therm.

European spot power prices resumed their bearish trend on Thursday, amidst stronger wind supply estimates and milder weather forecasts.The French day-ahead power price fell by 1.7% to 47.39 EUR/MWh, whereas the equivalent German contract tumbled by 6.6% to 41.62 EUR/MWh.

Further along the curve, the German power contract for delivery in 2020 traded 1.3% lower at 49.06 EUR/MWh, while the equivalent French contract declined by 0.8% to 51.80 EUR/MWh.

European carbon prices slipped on Thursday tracking lower energy commodities. The price for the 2021-expiry contract edged 0.9% lower at 24.42 EUR/tonne.