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OPEC CANNOT PROTECT world oil prices which have plunged since June, the United Arab Emirates said today, adding that rising North American shale oil output needed to be curbed.
World prices have been falling since June, but the pace of the slide accelerated in November when the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) decided to maintain its production unchanged at 30 million barrels per day.
Yesterday, oil prices hit a six year low. While we are seeing the benefits at the pumps, analysts say that richer OPEC members like the UAE have been ready to accept the price fall in the hope that it will force higher-cost shale producers out of the market.
No protection
“We cannot continue to be protecting a certain price,” UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei said.
“We have seen the oversupply, coming primarily from shale oil, and that needed to be corrected,” he told participants in the Gulf Intelligence UAE Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi.
Oil prices continued their slide towards six-year lows in Asian trade today after Brent crude closed below $50 a barrel the previous day for the first time since April 2009.
The fall came after Wall Street investment titan Goldman Sachs slashed its price outlook, adding to anxiety about global oversupply, weak demand and soft growth in the key Chinese and European markets.
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In Ireland today, the average price for petrol is €129.9c, while Diesel comes in at €121.9c, a far cry from prices a few months ago, approaching the €1.60c mark.
The International Energy Agency shows here that there has been a huge increase in the supply of oil, which is driving down the price.
International Energy Agency
International Energy Agency
Oil prices
Brent crude for February delivery fell $1.33 to $46.10 a barrel — around its lowest point since April 2009.
US benchmark West Texas Intermediate shed $1.13 cents to $44.94 — its weakest level since March 2009.
Mazrouei said the UAE remains “concerned” about balance in the oil markets but “cannot under any circumstances be the only party responsible,” in reference to rising output from non-OPEC members.
Oil producers outside the cartel should be rational in increasing output, he said, insisting that current prices are not sustainable.
“We are telling the market and other producers to be rational, to be like OPEC and look at growth in the market,” Mazrouei said.
@Gerard lol your response is so immature hehehe I LOVE it.
I know this is not a story to be made fun of but just that comment did make me chuckle a little.
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