Saudi Arabia discussing proposal to cut oil output by up to 1mn bpd by OPEC and allies

(Abu Dhabi) REUTERS: Saudi Arabia is discussing a proposal to cut oil output by up to one million barrels per day by OPEC and its allies, two sources close to the discussions told Reuters yesterday.

The sources said the discussions were not finalized as much depended on the reduction in Iranian exports.

“There is a general discussion about this. But the question is how much is needed to reduce by the market,” one of the sources said, speaking in Abu Dhabi where a market monitoring committee is due to be held yesterday, attended by top exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia.

Asked by reporters in Abu Dhabi if the market is in balance, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-falih said: “We will find out. We have our meeting later.”

Al-falih last month said there could be a need for intervention to reduce oil stockpiles after increases in recent months. The United States this month imposed sanctions curtailing Iran’s oil exports as part of efforts to curb Tehran’s nuclear and missile programmes as well as its support for proxy forces in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East.