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Cyril Widdershoven

Cyril Widdershoven

Dr. Cyril Widdershoven is a long-time observer of the global energy market. Presently he works as a Senior Researcher at Hill Tower Resource Advisors. Next…

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OPEC’s Plan To Take Over The Global Oil Industry

The first three months of 2020 have shocked the global energy market to its foundations. The toxic mix of coronavirus, a global economic recession, and an unexpected OPEC+ price spat have hit ever aspect of the energy industry. The ongoing global oil and gas glut, which will become even more prominent when oil storage space hits zero, is a major threat to IOCs, independents, and minnows. The unprecedented demand destruction forecasts of 20 million barrels per day will transform the oil industry as we know it.   The true impact of this toxic mix of economic, fundamental and geopolitical uncertainty remains unclear, but we can expect a wave of bankruptcies in the US shale industry, the North Sea offshore sector and across the Canadian oil and gas sector. If the current crisis is prolonged for several more months, non-OPEC countries around the globe will see oil production collapse. The oil majors such as Shell, Exxon and ENI, are not yet in danger, as their available cash and market share makes them too large to fail. But other operators, such as Occidental, Whiting and others, are currently fighting for their lives. Debt levels, operational costs of fields, and a broader market crash are making these companies question their survival. Stocks across the energy sector are in the red, with upstream oil and gas companies in particular pain. Even promises about keeping dividends at current levels or of cutting upstream spending won’t bring investors back. Privately owned energy companies are being hit, from all sides, making them ideal prey for private equities and oil majors. 

Related: What Really Caused Oil To Rally By 25%?

  While media analysis currently is looking at the risk to national oil companies (NOCs), such as BAPCO, KOC, or Sonatrach, due to the price crash caused by the OPEC+ breakdown and the resultant impact on their national economies. The real story here is about the opportunities available to those with the ability to spend. In a very volatile market, with some analysts talking about the possibility of a negative oil and gas price environment, there will be and there always are big winners. The main players to watch, in addition to the private equity funds that are already preparing to buy up distressed assets, are the SWF backed and government-owned major National Oil Companies (NOCs). After years of deliberating and assessing the right strategies, some are going to be prepared to put their money where their mouth is. Expect NOCs to fulfill their dreams of going international and becoming major powerhouses on the world stage. That is the dream of the Aramcos and ADNOCs of the world. With Gazprom, Rosneft and a long-list of Chinese oil companies reeling from the oil price war, OPEC oil companies are preparing to enter the market. Several assessments have shown that, at the right time, NOCs will have to become International National Oils or INOCs. To enter the international market is the only way for these NOCs to continue their expansion and ensure future market share. In recent years, especially when oil prices were hovering around $65 per barrel or higher, an aggressive acquisition strategy would have been too costly to pursue.

Related: U.S. Shale Ready To Fire Back In The Oil Price War

Looking at the current situation, low share prices, negative returns, and pressure on dividends all serves as flashing green lights for NOCs looking to take advantage. At a reasonably low investment level, not constrained by downward threats in future and already struggling to deal with activist shareholders, independents such as Occidental or smaller are up for grabs. Aramco, ADNOC, QP and maybe even KOC, could be stepping up their investment strategies to take a huge chunk out the non-OPEC producers’ cake. Whatever happens in the coming months, the Post-coronavirus oil and gas industry is going to be a very different beast. Western politicians and stakeholders do not have the capabilities to stop a takeover of IOCs by non-OECD based entities. Financial stability, employment and elections will be a more pressing issue for most to consider than the sale of assets or total companies to NOCs. Arab NOCs could even have their respective SWFs and local investment banks expand their existing portfolios. In reality, majority stakes owned by Saudi SWF Public Investment Fund equals ownership of Aramco (as the latter is owned by PIF). For QP and several others this is also the case. 

Whatever happens in the next 6-18 months in the energy industry, the landscape will have changed drastically. Consolidation and survival of the fittest is the main rule right now, even if market participants don’t want to talk about it. A major shake-out is going to happen, assets and shares will end up with the cash-rich. And there are few entities out there more cash-rich than the NOCs. Many analysts have suggested that this crisis will support and accelerate the energy transition, but maybe it will instead be a transition of ownership from private to national, leaving the future of hydrocarbons in the hands of a few very wealthy entities.

By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com

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Leave a comment
  • Mark Potochnik on April 05 2020 said:
    How to stop OPEC taking over? Cut your reliance on oil. Not at all hard.
  • Bradley Steeg on April 05 2020 said:
    "Western politicians and stakeholders do not have the capabilities to stop a takeover of IOCs by non-OECD based entities."

    After Biden wins in November we're going to see an expansion and aggressive implementation of the Magnitsky Act through North America, Trans-Pacific Partnership countries, and Europe. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia et al are staring down the barrel of asset seizures. Vlad Putin is the primary target but the authoritarian countries that made power grabs under Trump are going to face severe consequences for their behavior.

    I don't know what state owned oil companies are thinking right now, but if they aren't thinking of the blowback headed their way then they aren't thinking at all.
  • Mamdouh Salameh on April 06 2020 said:
    The title of this article is misleading because only a few countries within OPEC like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE and non-OPEC Qatar will be in a position to have their National Oil Companies (NOCs) benefit from investment opportunities in the aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak.

    Even Saudi Aramco, ADNOC, KOC and QP will initially be using their cash reserves to offset the huge budget deficits that their countries have booked as a result of the outbreak and in the case of Saudi Aramco to allocate funds to support projects vital to the Saudi Vision 2030.

    When oil prices start to improve, then these NOCs will be able to benefit from opportunities of investment available in the market. Still, this will be light years away from what is being described as OPEC’ plan to take over the global oil industry.

    Dr Mamdouh G Salameh
    International Oil Economist
    Visiting Professor of Energy Economics at ESCP Europe Business School, London
  • Suresh Shukla on April 06 2020 said:
    US can ban import of oil and tell its countrymen to consume US oil at 50 USD
  • Robert Berke on April 06 2020 said:
    &quot;Western politicians and stakeholders do not have the capabilities to stop a takeover of IOCs by non-OECD based entities.&quot;

    Nonsense! Western governments have often stopped national oil companies from taking over international oil companies. All western government have the power to stop the sale of strategic assets, as the US did when it prevented China from acquiring UniCal, and Canada also stopped Chinese oil purchase.
  • Durwood Kirby on April 09 2020 said:
    Trump will never allow the INOC's to takeover American oil assets. After Trump leaves in 2024 all bets are off.
  • Bill Simpson on April 09 2020 said:
    If a handful of NOCs can gain virtual control of the oil industry, they can effectively control the world, because oil is still the critical energy resource. Nothing happens without oil.
    People think they hate the low oil price, when in reality, they love the opportunity to get rid of the privately owned competition, and establish a virtual oil monopoly for the NOCs. If they can accomplish that, they will be able to charge whatever they wish for oil.
    That prospect, and the record of some of their recent behavior, should scare everyone who cherishes democracy and freedom, because they certainly do not.

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