Russia, Qatar, Opec discuss cooperation to stabilise oil
vienna — Energy ministers from Russia and Qatar along with Opec’s secretary general discussed possible joint action to stabilise the oil market, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said ahead of Opec’s meeting next month aiming to cement a deal agreed in Algiers.
Russia is the world’s largest oil producer but not a member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its budget has been hit by low oil prices, the same as for many Opec nations.
Novak, in Vienna after visiting Saudi Arabia over the weekend for talks with Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al Falih, said sharp falls in the price of crude threatened to trigger an oil deficit and unpredictable volatility in prices.
“That’s why ... (an oil output) freeze or even a cut for a certain period of time is a right decision for global energy ... Being a shortterm measure, an oil output cap may help to lower volatility in the market and make it more stable,” Novak said.
Last month in Algiers, Opec agreed modest output cuts that are due to be set in stone in the coming weeks. The goal is to trim production to a range of 32.50-33.0 million barrels per day (bpd).
“We have in detail discussed ... current situation (on oil market) and different mechanisms and options of joint actions,” Novak told a briefing after talks with his Qatari counterpart Mohammed Al Sada and Opec Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo.
Russia is ramping up its oil output amid weak oil prices, as weak rouble and investments made in previous years are helping its oil sector. In September, Russian oil output hit another post-Soviet high of 11.1 million barrels per day (bpd).
On Monday, Novak repeated that an oil output freeze is “an effective tool Russia is ready for (in a move) to balance the market”. Yet he said that Moscow was considering “different options,” but declined to provide details. — Reuters