Saudis pushing for 9-month extension of Opec-led curbs

Energy grouping is wary prices could fall again since excess supply persists

Top crude exporter Saudi Arabia is lobbying oil ministers to agree next week on a nine-month extension to Opec-led supply cuts, sources familiar with the matter said, as Riyadh seeks to ensure a pricesapping glut is eradicated.

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, non-member Russia and nine other producers are cutting oil output by about 1.8 million barrels per day until March 2018, and will discuss extending the deal at a November 30 meeting in Vienna.

Oil prices have risen to almost $65 a barrel, the highest since 2015, supported by lower inventories. However, Opec is wary prices could fall again since excess supply persists, while a flare-up in Middle Eastern political tensions has also played a part in the rally.

“The Saudis are lobbying to have a decision in November for nine months,” said a senior oil industry source with knowledge of the matter who declined to be identified.

Indications of support for a nine-month extension have come from the very top in Saudi Arabia, Opec’s de facto leader, and Russia, the largest non-Opec producer involved in the agreement.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman signalled he was supportive of extending the agreement further into 2018, following remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 4 that the deal could be stretched to the end of next year.

“The Saudi and Russian leaders have indicated it’s on the cards,” an Opec source said.