Why OPEC Might Be Headed for Even More Cuts in 2019
- Curbs announced will balance world markets in first half 2019
- New surplus of 1 million b/d could still emerge in 4th quarter
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Production cuts agreed by OPEC and its allies are on track to balance global oil markets in the first half of 2019, but more work may be needed after that.
If Saudi Arabia, Russia and other countries in the so-called OPEC+ coalition cut production by 1.2 million barrels day as promised for the first six months of next year, world supply and demand will be in equilibrium. However, booming U.S. shale supplies mean they would need to almost double the cutback to prevent a new surplus in the fourth quarter, a report from the group showed.