Opec rallying for support to extend oil output cuts

OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is reportedly rallying its member countries to extend the current oil output cuts beyond the current deadline of March 2023. The move is aimed at maintaining the balance between supply and demand in the global oil market and supporting oil prices.

OPEC, along with its allies, including Russia, has been implementing production cuts since January 2017 to reduce the global oil glut and boost prices. The current agreement, which was extended in December 2022, has been in place since July 2022.

The extension of the output cuts is seen as crucial to maintain the stability of the oil market, which has been affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and other global economic factors. The move is also expected to support the global economy, which is still recovering from the pandemic.

OPEC's efforts to extend the output cuts come as the global oil market is facing a number of challenges, including:

  1. The ongoing pandemic, which has led to a decline in global oil demand.
  2. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has disrupted global oil supplies and led to a surge in prices.
  3. The ongoing economic uncertainty, which has led to a decline in global economic growth and oil demand.

The extension of the output cuts is expected to be discussed at the upcoming OPEC meeting, which is scheduled to take place in March 2023. The meeting is expected to be attended by OPEC's 13 member countries, as well as its allies, including Russia.

In the meantime, oil prices have been volatile, with Brent crude prices trading around $80 per barrel. The extension of the output cuts is expected to support oil prices and maintain the balance between supply and demand in the global oil market.

Overall, OPEC's efforts to extend the output cuts are seen as a crucial step in maintaining the stability of the global oil market and supporting the global economy.