OPEC slashed oil production to the lowest level since the Persian Gulf War in 1991, as it escalated efforts to revive global markets just as a resurgence of the coronavirus is threatening demand again. Saudi Arabia delivered the extra curbs promised in June, and the laggards, though still trailing in …
Read More »Russia Expects OPEC+ to Ease Oil Production Cuts in August
OPEC+ is not discussing or planning changes to its production cut agreement, which should see the oil producers ease the cuts in August, Russia’s Energy Minister Alexander Novak said at an online conference on Thursday. OPEC+, led by Russia and OPEC’s top producer Saudi Arabia, agreed in June to extend …
Read More »Oil Rises on Manufacturing Data, U.S. Inventories
Oil prices rose on Wednesday on a string of positive manufacturing data and a drawdown in U.S. crude inventories, both indicating an economic recovery and rise in energy demand despite surging coronavirus infections around the world. Brent crude LCOc1 was up $1.19, or 2.9%, to $42.46 a barrel at 0900 …
Read More »India Oil Market Projects Faster Recovery than OPEC’s Estimates
India, the third-biggest oil consumer, expects fuel demand to return to normal earlier than projections by the International Energy Agency and OPEC. “If you look at the trend of the past few weeks, I’m confident that by the end of second quarter, demand will be as usual,” India’s Oil Minister …
Read More »Norway Sets Oil Export Records as OPEC+ Cuts Leave a Void in the Market
As OPEC and its allies make their deepest cuts yet to crude production, Norway’s giant Johan Sverdrup oil field is exporting more than ever before. Crude loadings from the field are set at a record 4.4 million barrels, or 465,000 barrels a day, in August, according to a loading program …
Read More »Iraq May Amend High-Cost Oil Output Deals
Iraq is reassessing contracts to pump crude at fields where production costs are high as it tries to contain expenses while curbing output, the oil minister said, according to a report on Sunday in Al-Sabah newspaper. OPEC’s second-biggest producer has an interest in cooperating with other global suppliers in reducing …
Read More »China Oil Titans Plan Joint Crude Buying to Add Bargaining Power
China’s state-owned oil refining giants are in discussions to form a purchasing group to buy crude together, increasing their bargaining power and avoiding bidding wars. Senior executives from China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., PetroChina Co., Cnooc Ltd. and Sinochem Group Co. are in advanced talks to iron out details of …
Read More »Trump’s Inaction Makes Oil Market Management Harder
The unprecedented OPEC+ deal in April, which led to drastic output cuts, is now entering its most dangerous phase, with oil demand and prices recovering. At the time, President Donald Trump claimed credit for the breakthrough, even though the U.S., the world’s biggest oil producer, wasn’t part of the agreement. …
Read More »Iraq Raises Estimates for May Oil Income, Crude Export Price
Iraq has raised estimates for its oil income and export prices for May, the oil ministry said on June 24, as OPEC’s second-largest producer benefits from the uptick in global crude prices. Its May income was $2.136 billion, up from the previous estimate of $2.091 billion, the ministry said in …
Read More »OPEC+ Laggards Fall in Line with Push for Compensatory Oil Cuts
OPEC+ nations that had been pumping more oil than their quotas allow for are starting to fall in line and provide details to other members of the cartel on how they’ll make extra reductions to compensate. Nigeria, Angola, Gabon and Brunei have submitted plans to the OPEC secretariat in Vienna …
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