Oil steady as OPEC Saudi minister urges production caution
U.S. oil prices have gained 22% this year
Oil prices saw modest gains on Thursday as headlines from OPEC's meeting start to roll in with Saudi Arabia's energy minister taking a cautious view of any increase in oil production.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USO | UNITED STATES OIL FUND - USD ACC | 71.75 | +0.12 | +0.17% |
OPEC GOES UNCHECKED AS GAS PRICES CLIMB NEARING $3 PER GALLON
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Abulaziz bin Salman said the approach taken at the alliance's gathering last month to leave production levels largely unchanged had been correct, given the ongoing uncertainty about the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic recovery.
"Unfortunately, we have been proved right by subsequent developments," he said.
OIL PRICES GAIN ON EXPECTATIONS OPEC+ WILL KEEP LID ON OUTPUT
The OPEC meeting with non-members — dubbed OPEC Plus — has decided to meet monthly to review the production cuts of just over 7 million barrels per day imposed to restrain the decline in oil prices due to the pandemic recession, which has cut the demand for fuel. On top of that, Saudi Arabia has been keeping 1 million barrels a day off the market as part of voluntary cuts on its own.
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Bin Salman said that "until the evidence of recovery is undeniable, we should retain this cautious stance ... the waves are still tall and the seas remain rough." He singled out the ongoing coronavirus restrictions on activity in Europe, which is enduring a new wave of infections amid a slow vaccine rollout.
Oil-producing countries face conflicting pressures. Raising production before the demand is there risks sending prices lower. But lower production levels deprive state budgets of money at a difficult time.
Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak sounded a more optimistic tone, saying "the situation has improved" since the March meeting. Russia has typically pressed for higher production levels in the face of Saudi restraint. One reason is that Russia can balance its state budget at lower oil prices than can the Saudis.