Expert: OPEC+ countries should postpone the softening of the deal from January of the new year

Anne-Louise Hittle, vice president of consulting firm Wood Mackenzie, said at the International Exchange Forum that in order to maintain a stable market situation, OPEC+ countries should extend their current oil production cuts. Previously, the organization intended to soften the terms of the deal from January 2021, implying an increase in production by almost 2 million barrels per day.

The expert stressed that from the point of view of balancing the market in the interests of the producing countries, it is not worth lifting the restrictions in January, although such plans were fixed in the April agreements. Hittle also noted that if restrictions on oil production are lifted from January 1, a very rapid overstocking of the market will occur in the first quarter of the year.

On November 17, the next meeting of the leaders of the OPEC+ countries will take place, at which the organization will have to make the correct decision that meets the current conditions.

Recall that the new OPEC+ agreements started in May with a reduction in oil production by 9.7 million barrels per day for three months. Since August, the alliance has continued to reduce production, but in a smaller volume – by 7.7 million barrels per day for the period until the end of the year, and then – by 5.8 million until the end of April 2022.