• 3 minutes e-car sales collapse
  • 6 minutes America Is Exceptional in Its Political Divide
  • 11 minutes Perovskites, a ‘dirt cheap’ alternative to silicon, just got a lot more efficient
  • 1 day GREEN NEW DEAL = BLIZZARD OF LIES
  • 2 days Could Someone Give Me Insights on the Future of Renewable Energy?
  • 2 days How Far Have We Really Gotten With Alternative Energy
  • 3 hours They pay YOU to TAKE Natural Gas
  • 6 days e-truck insanity
  • 4 days An interesting statistic about bitumens?
  • 9 days Oil Stocks, Market Direction, Bitcoin, Minerals, Gold, Silver - Technical Trading <--- Chris Vermeulen & Gareth Soloway weigh in
  • 9 days "What’s In Store For Europe In 2023?" By the CIA (aka RFE/RL as a ruse to deceive readers)
Carbon-Eating Bacteria May Hold The Key To Decarbonization

Carbon-Eating Bacteria May Hold The Key To Decarbonization

A U.S.-based biotechnology firm is…

Fresh EU Sanctions on Russian Gas Could Trigger a Price Rally

Fresh EU Sanctions on Russian Gas Could Trigger a Price Rally

TotalEnergies CEO Pouyanne has predicted…

U.S. Calls On Saudi Arabia To Ensure Supply Of Affordable Energy

The United States has called on Saudi Arabia to make sure there is “affordable energy” supply in the world, ahead of today’s OPEC+ meeting where the cartel will discuss production rates.

As always, the outcome of the meeting is somewhat uncertain, although most seem to expect the group to keep its production rate unchanged, with Saudi Arabia specifically signaling that it was ready to extend its voluntary 1-million-bpd output cut through May and June.

Even with this cut, however, OPEC’s combined output registered an excess of 3 million bpd in February, according to data from the Joint Technical Committee that oversees the implementation of the production cuts. That was despite full and even slightly excessive complaints with the cuts from OPEC members because two of them—Libya and Iran—are exempt from the cuts and are boosting their production at a fast rate.

Bloomberg reported that a slight increase in production is also a possibility at tomorrow’s meeting. Russia has requested a slight increase in its production quota to satisfy seasonally higher domestic demand. However, OPEC remains cautious about any larger adjustments to output.

“We should not be out smelling the flowers just yet,” OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo told the Joint Technical Committee, which met on Tuesday. Oil markets are “surrounded by uncertainties, including the prevalence of Covid-19 variants, the uneven rollout of vaccines, further lockdowns and third waves in several countries,” the official said, as quoted by Bloomberg.

OPEC+ energy ministers are meeting today to discuss progress and next steps. Internal tensions remain, with the UAE one of the strongest voices for a production increase. This would fit in with U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm’s call for affordable energy, but it would do nothing for oil prices, which Saudi Arabia and most other OPEC members need higher than they are now.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:



Join the discussion | Back to homepage



Leave a comment
  • Mamdouh Salameh on April 01 2021 said:
    Under former President Trump, the United States used to demand that Saudi-led OPEC increases its production to ensure relatively low oil prices for the United States while simultaneously calling on the US shale oil industry to produce recklessly to fulfil his empty grandiose slogans of achieving US energy independence and oil self-sufficiency. He even had the temerity to tell the Arab Gulf countries that he is protecting them and their oil and therefore they should pay protection money in Mafia-like fashion.

    At least President Biden has called politely on Saudi Arabia (not demanded like Trump) to ensure affordable energy for the world ahead of the OPEC+ meeting tomorrow. Saudi Arabia is prepared to help but in return it expects President Biden to tell the US oil industry to refrain from undermining OPEC+'s efforts to support oil prices by reckless production. He can’t hide behind democracy saying it is up to the shale oil drillers to decide their levels of production.

    After all, what is good for the goose is good for the gander.

    Dr Mamdouh G Salameh
    International Oil Economist
    Visiting Professor of Energy Economics at ESCP Europe Business School, London

Leave a comment

EXXON Mobil -0.35
Open57.81 Trading Vol.6.96M Previous Vol.241.7B
BUY 57.15
Sell 57.00
Oilprice - The No. 1 Source for Oil & Energy News