Latest News

Oil prices drop after OPEC+ agrees on a production increase in September

Early Asian trading on Monday saw oil prices drop after OPEC+ agreed that they would increase production by a large amount in September.

Brent crude futures were down 43 cents or 0.62% to $69.24 per barrel at 2218 GMT, while U.S. West Texas intermediate crude was $66.94 per barrel, down 39cents or 0.58% after both contracts had closed around $2 lower on Friday. OPEC+ decided on Sunday to increase oil production by 547,000 bpd for September. This is the latest of a series accelerated output increases to regain market shares, as concerns grow over possible supply disruptions related to Russia.

This move represents a complete and early reversal in OPEC+’s largest batch of output cuts. In addition, the United Arab Emirates have increased their output by about 2.5 million bpd or 2.4% of global demand.

In a press release issued after the meeting, OPEC+ cited a strong economy and low stock levels as reasons for its decision.

Helima Croft, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, said that the actual increase since April was smaller than the headline figure and mainly comprised of barrels coming from Saudi Arabia and UAE (United Arab Emirates).

The bet that the market would absorb the extra barrels this summer has paid off, as prices are not far from the pre-tariff Liberation Day level. Reporting by Florence Tan Editing and design by Rod Nickel

(source: Reuters)