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OPEC+ accelerates oil production increases, but oil drops

Eight OPEC+ nations agreed Thursday to increase oil production by 411,000 barrels a day in May. This unexpected decision caused oil prices to extend their earlier losses.

Brent crude, which had already fallen over 5% after U.S. president Donald Trump announced tariffs against trading partners, continued to fall over 5% as OPEC released a statement updating its plans. Brent crude fell over 5% toward $70 a barrel.

In May, eight members of OPEC+ (which includes the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, and its allies, led by Russia) were scheduled to increase their output by 135,000 barrels a day as part of a gradual unwinding of the most recent layer of production cuts.

After a meeting online of the eight nations held on Thursday, the group said it would increase output by 411,000 Bpd in may. OPEC cited the "continuing positive market outlook and healthy market fundamentals."

In a statement, OPEC stated that the increase was originally planned for the month of May and included two monthly increases. The gradual increases can be stopped or reversed depending on the market conditions.

The May increase is part of a plan that Russia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have agreed to implement in order to slowly unwind the most recent production cut of 2.2 millions bpd. This was implemented this month.

OPEC said that the eight countries would meet on May 5, to decide June's output.

OPEC+ has also agreed to cut 3.65 million bpd in other production until the end next year. Reporting by Alex Lawler and Olesya Astakhova. Editing by David Evans and Louise Heavens.

(source: Reuters)