Khaleej
Times, Wednesday, Nov 23, 2022 | Rabi Al Thani 28, 1444
No talks on oil output increase: UAE
Major oil producers denied a media report that they are engaged in discussions with Opec+ members to increase crude production for their next meeting on December 4.
The UAE Energy and Infrastructure Minister Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al
Mazrouei denied a report published by the
Wall Street Journal on Monday that the Organisation of the Petroleum
Exporting Countries (Opec) and its allies including Russia, known as Opec+
group, is considering an “increase of up to 500,000 barrels a day” ahead of the
next month meeting. The report cited unidentified Opec delegates.
Al Mazrouei denied that the UAE is engaging in any discussion with other Opec+
members to change their latest agreement and said that the agreed deal is valid
until the end of 2023.
“We remain committed to Opec+ aim to balance the oil market and will support any
decision to achieve that goal,” Al Mazrouei said in a Twitter post.
Saudi, Kuwait, Iraq also denied
Saudi Arabia also denied the
Wall Street Journal report and backed the UAE’s stance saying a cut
approved in October would stay in place until the end of 2023.
The official Saudi Press Agency said on Monday night that Saudi Energy Minister
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman “categorically denies” the report.
“It is well known, and no secret, that Opec+ does not discuss any decisions
ahead of its meetings,” SPA quoted Prince Abdulaziz as saying.
“The current cut of two million barrels per day by Opec+ continues until the end
of 2023 and if there is a need to take further measures by reducing production
to balance supply and demand, we always remain ready to intervene,” he said.
Kuwait minister denies there have been talks on Opec+ oil output increase
Kuwait Oil Minister Bader Al Mulla on Tuesday also denied reports that there
have been discussions to increase oil production at the next Opec+ meeting,
state new agency Kuna reported.
“Kuwait is keen to maintain stability and balance in oil markets,” the agency
quoted Mulla as saying.
The head of Iraq’s state oil marketer Somo Alaa Alyasri told Reuters on Tuesday
there have been no discussions about Opec+ deciding on a production increase at
its next meeting.
“There are no disucssions around this topic,” Alyasri said.
Algeria’s minister of energy and mines Mohamed Arkab said there are 'no ongoing
discussions' on a revision of the October 5 Opec+ oil production decision.
"Speculation on 'improbable revisions of Opec+ production levels' is likely to
disrupt oil markets. Opec+ decisions are taken in complete transparency at
meetings,” Mohamed Arkab said in a statement.
Oil prices rebound
Meanwhile, oil prices staged a rebound on Tuesday after the UAE, Saudi Arabia
and other major oil producers said Opec+ is stick with output cuts and could
take further steps to balance the market, outweighing global recession worries
and concern about China’s rising Covid-19 case numbers.
Brent crude rose 97 cents, or 1.1 per cent, to $88.42 by 1435GMT while US West
Texas Intermediate crude was up $1.19, or 1.5 per cent, at $81.23 a barrel.
“Crude oil prices are trying to recover their losses,” Naeem Aslam, analyst at
Avatrade said.
“That Saudi Arabia has denied there was any discussion about an increase in oil
supply with Opec and its allies has supported the market today,” he said.
World oil prices plunged more than five per cent on Monday, reaching the lowest
levels since January, on forecasts of a hit to Chinese demand. Concerns over oil
demand in the face of the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes and China’s
strict Covid lockdown policies limited the upside.
“The critical risk to a price cap policy is the potential for Russian
retaliation, which would turn this into an additional bullish shock for the oil
market,” Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management, said in a
report.
— With inputs from Reuters
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