Late December’s tax-driven selling pressures drove oil prices down. As if on cue, seasonal buying pressure emerged, injecting a fresh wave of optimism into the crude oil market. This demand is not without purpose; it marks the onset of preparations for the impending summer driving season. Refiners embark on a strategic accumulation of crude oil inventory for gasoline production, laying the groundwork for oil price increases in the months ahead. What factors are supporting this current oil rally? The prominent force causing this reliable seasonal buying period from December to May is the beginn…