UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei at the OPEC International Seminar in Vienna
OPEC+’s extra barrels mostly made of paper
Robust demand and a limited supply of additional physical barrels from key OPEC+ producers has kept the oil market in a healthy price range
OPEC+ has added just 160,000b/d of oil to the market since it started unwinding its production cuts in April, according to Petroleum Economist estimates. This is far below its pledged increase of nearly 960,000b/d. However, global demand has remained unexpectedly resilient, with lower fuel prices and a weaker dollar boosting consumption, especially in developing economies. This sustained consumption growth is keeping prices buoyant above $65/bl, even amid broader economic uncertainty and trade tensions. Whether these price levels will pressure shale producers and OPEC+ quota-breakers into compliance remains uncertain. Despite uneven compliance across the OPEC+ bloc, heavyweights within
Also in this section
7 January 2026
No longer can the energy source be considered a sidekick to oil in the Middle East and neither should it step aside for less convincing alternatives
7 January 2026
The global race for critical minerals has become a defining feature of energy geopolitics, presenting the ASEAN region with both opportunity and risk
7 January 2026
As global energy systems evolve to meet shifting demand and transition pressures, maintaining reliable hydrocarbon supply remains essential to energy security
6 January 2026
Cash will be needed to boost production by 30% to meet region’s rapidly rising power demand, executives told the inaugural Middle East Gas Conference in December
