OPEC seeks more drop in oil stocks

PARIS / Reuters

OPEC wants oil inventories to decline further and is working to ensure a policy-setting meeting in May reaches consensus, the group’s secretary-general said on Thursday in comments pointing to an extension of a global supply cut.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and other producers originally agreed to curb production by 1.8 million barrels per day for six months from January 1 to support market.
Oil prices have gained support from the pact but a supply glut has been slow to shift, limiting their increase. As a result, OPEC members including top exporter Saudi Arabia have signalled support for extending the deal at a May 25 meeting.
OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo, speaking at a conference in Paris, and other officials from OPEC countries said the oil market was moving towards a balance between supply and demand with the help of the agreement.
“While it is evident that the market rebalancing is now moving forward and investment specifically in short-cycle projects is returning, it is essential we do not take our eyes off our desired goals,” he said.
“We need to see the global stock overhang move closer to its five-year average.” Barkindo did not comment directly on whether the cut would be extended, but he said efforts were under way led by Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih, who is OPEC president in 2017, to get a consensus before ministers meet next month in Vienna.
“We are confident that the collaborative effort of Minister Khalid al-Falih and other ministers … will eventually facilitate a successful conclusion of the meeting in Vienna on the 25th,” Barkindo said. OPEC and the outside producers are trying to erode a glut that is keeping prices at less than half the level of mid-2014, cutting producer oil income and reducing investment in new fields.