OPEC tries again to agree on production cuts

Economy 17:25 07.12.2018

OPEC's deliberations over how much oil to remove from world markets stretched into a second day on Friday.

Members of the cartel emerged from negotiations on Thursday without a consensus on production cuts, leading to the cancellation of a press conference and pessimistic comments from Saudi officials.

Discussions on Friday will include Russia, the world's second biggest oil producer and a key partner in OPEC efforts to slash production and boost prices.

OPEC's failure to reach an agreement quickly on Thursday unsettled investors and pushed crude prices sharply lower. But analysts still expect a deal to be struck before the meetings conclude in Vienna.

"We expect the group to agree to a production cut lasting until at least the first half of 2019," said Ann-Louise Hittle, a vice president at energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie.

OPEC is seeking to stabilize oil markets after US crude prices plunged 22% in November, marking the the worst month since the global financial crisis in 2008. US crude was trading little changed on Friday at around $51.40 a barrel, 33% below a four-year high of $76 hit in early October.

The question is how much production OPEC and Russia can agree to cut, and how the reductions will be shared among the group.

Saudi Arabia's energy minister Khalid Al-Falih told reporters on Thursday that a production cut of about 1.3 million barrels a day might be "excessive" given a recent decision by Canada to scale back its output.

But analysts have said that a cut of around 1 million barrels per day would not be enough to balance the market in the first half of 2019.

Global markets are awash with oil. The United States is pumping at record levels and recently surpassed Russia and Saudi Arabia for the first time since 1973 as the world's largest producer.

Meanwhile, Iran is still selling crude despite sanctions. The United States surprised OPEC and other producers by granting waivers to eight countries to continue buying Iranian oil after it reimposed sanctions in November.

The International Energy Agency warned last month that supply is expected to exceed demand through 2019.

In its November market report, OPEC said demand for its oil next year would be about 1.1 million barrels a day less than in 2018, and 1.4 million below current OPEC production.

 

Azerbaijan Army holds Military Oath-taking ceremonies - VİDEO

News line

Is a Peace Agreement Between Azerbaijan and Armenia Possible by November?
21:00 10.05.2024
Spain, Ireland intend to recognize Palestine, Borrell says
20:00 10.05.2024
Brazilian flood death toll reaches 107
Brazilian flood death toll reaches 107
19:40 10.05.2024
Napoli star Kvaratskhelia ‘top priority’ for PSG to replace Mbappe
Napoli star Kvaratskhelia ‘top priority’ for PSG to replace Mbappe
19:20 10.05.2024
Participation of Swiss companies in restoration work in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur discussed
19:00 10.05.2024
Green technology online platform to be established in Azerbaijan
18:40 10.05.2024
Alparslan Bayraktar: Türkiye aims to deepen energy cooperation with US
18:20 10.05.2024
Bilateral Meeting Commences: Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers Discuss Peace Agreement in Almaty
17:45 10.05.2024
COP29 president mulls consequences of climate change in Pakistan
17:22 10.05.2024
Azerbaijan Army holds Military Oath-taking ceremonies - VİDEO
Azerbaijan Army holds Military Oath-taking ceremonies - VİDEO
17:05 10.05.2024
Ilham Aliyev views works done on Khankandi-Shusha-Lachin highway
Ilham Aliyev views works done on Khankandi-Shusha-Lachin highway
17:03 10.05.2024
President Ilham Aliyev lays foundation of Turshsu settlement of Shusha district
16:57 10.05.2024
President, First Lady attend opening of first residential complex in Shusha
16:38 10.05.2024
Armenian FM Mirzoyan: Yerevan aimed at signing peace treaty
16:05 10.05.2024
Scotland's first minister says independence from UK 'can be achieved in five years'
Scotland's first minister says independence from UK 'can be achieved in five years'
15:48 10.05.2024
Russian Analyst Offers Insights on Armenian Border Guard Situation and Foreign Policy Dynamics
15:30 10.05.2024
Azerbaijani FM Bayramov hopes two days of work in Almaty will be positive
15:24 10.05.2024
President, First Lady view reconstruction work at Chol Gala Mosque in Shusha
15:15 10.05.2024
Iranian Government Attempting to Persianize Nizami Ganjavi
15:02 10.05.2024
Iran Unveils Discovery of New Oil and Gas Reserves
Iran Unveils Discovery of New Oil and Gas Reserves
14:45 10.05.2024
Umud Mirzayev: "Heydar Aliyev is an eternal leader"
14:33 10.05.2024
Meeting of Azerbaijani, Armenian foreign ministers kicks off in Almaty
14:22 10.05.2024
Azerbaijani CEC Chairman says parliamentary elections may be pushed forward for COP29
14:10 10.05.2024
Armenian protesters blocked the Armenia-Iran road
13:57 10.05.2024
President Ilham Aliyev attends opening of first tunnel on Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha highway
13:39 10.05.2024
Syria holds the key to improved US-Turkey ties
13:25 10.05.2024
Erdogan: Türkiye needs new constitution
12:50 10.05.2024
Armenia's "revanchists" doomed to failure - Ishkan Verdiyan talks on Ednews
12:27 10.05.2024
Azerbaijani state and government officials commemorate National Leader
12:03 10.05.2024
Protest rally starts in State University of Yerevan - VIDEO
11:50 10.05.2024
The Implications of Russia's Military Withdrawal from Armenia: A Strategic Shift in the Caucasus
11:33 10.05.2024
Strengthening Sino-French Cooperation: A Path Forward for the Belt and Road Initiative
11:00 10.05.2024
Azerbaijan’s MFA shares post on 101st birth anniversary of Heydar Aliyev
Azerbaijan’s MFA shares post on 101st birth anniversary of Heydar Aliyev
10:50 10.05.2024
Factions of Armenian parliament ready for impeachment of Pashinyan
10:31 10.05.2024
President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited grave of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev in Alley of Honor - LIVE
10:09 10.05.2024
‘We will fight with our fingernails’ says Netanyahu
10:03 10.05.2024
US stops sending more than three thousand aerial bombs to Israel
09:50 10.05.2024
Head of Presidential Administration: 1,727 former IDP families returned to Lachin, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Aghdara
09:38 10.05.2024
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince to visit Japan
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince to visit Japan
09:25 10.05.2024
Jeyhun Bayramov leaves for working visit to Kazakhstan
09:00 10.05.2024
Hamısı