Why is the Woodside share price tanking today?

The price of oil just hit its lowest point of 2022.

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Key points
  • The Woodside share price is falling on Monday, dumping 2.5% to trade at $37
  • It comes amid tumbling oil prices, which appear to have hit their lowest point since December 2021 today
  • Woodside's stock is currently the energy sector's second worst performer, behind that of Beach Energy

The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price is sinking on Monday despite no word having been released by the company. However, it's far from alone in the red. Many of its energy peers are suffering amid tumbling oil prices.

The Woodside share price is down 2.55% right now, trading at $37.

Meanwhile, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has slumped 0.33% and the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) has dumped 1.47%.

Let's take a closer look at what might be weighing on Woodside and its ASX 200 energy peers today.

Sad looking worker standing next to an oil drill.

Image source: Getty Images

Woodside shares tumble alongside oil prices

The Woodside share price is tumbling on Monday. It comes as oil prices fall to near-12 month lows.

The Brent crude oil price slumped another 2% on Friday to close last week at US$83.63 a barrel. Meanwhile, the US Nymex crude oil price fell 2.1% to US$76.28 a barrel. That left the respective contracts down 4.6% and 4.7% week-on-week.

And the situation has only deteriorated today. Oil has fallen to its lowest point since December 2021 on Monday, according to media reports, with WTI crude oil falling to around US$74 a barrel and Brent crude oil slipping to less than US$82 a barrel.

Recent falls came amid concerns COVID-19 outbreaks in China could hamper demand for the black liquid and the suspension of discussions of a mooted US$65 to US$70 price cap on Russian oil, CNBC reported over the weekend.

Of course, oil producers' profits are tightly tied to oil prices. Indeed, soaring energy commodity prices saw Woodside post a US$1.6 billion profit for the first half of 2022 – a 417% increase on that of the prior comparable period.

Interestingly, Woodside isn't the worst performer in the ASX 200 energy sector right now. The Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) share price takes out the unfortunate crown, slumping 2.7%.

Other oil giants are also suffering. The share prices of Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR) are down 2.5% and 0.9% right now.

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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