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OPEC+ to consider extending voluntary oil output cuts, sources say

OPEC+ will consider extending voluntary oil output cuts into the second quarter, 3 OPEC+ sources told , to provide additional assistance for the market, and could keep them in place until completion of the year, according to 2 of them.

Last November, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Nations and allies led by Russia agreed to voluntary cuts amounting to about 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) for the very first quarter this year, led by Saudi Arabia rolling over its own voluntary cut.

Oil rates have discovered support this year from increasing geopolitical tensions due to attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthi group on Red Sea shipping, although issue about economic development and high rates of interest has weighed. Brent crude was trading near $83 a barrel on Tuesday.

Extending the output cuts into the 2nd quarter is likely, one of the OPEC+ sources, who decreased to be identified by name, said. 2 of them said a longer extension till completion of the year was possible.

OPEC and the Saudi Energy Ministry did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

Under the existing contract, the total cuts by the group are set to decline 3.66 million bpd from the start of April.

OPEC+'s de facto leader Saudi Arabia has said that the cuts could continue past the first quarter if needed.

The concern has yet to be talked about formally by OPEC+, 2 of the sources stated. A decision on extending the cuts is anticipated in the first week of March, sources have stated, with individual nations anticipated to announce their decisions.

(source: Reuters)