OPEC Oil Output Drops to Over Two-Decade Low in June

Crude oil sustained $42 per barrel price level following a recent survey conducted by Reuters that showed the Organisation for the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) managed to cut oil production to over two-decade low in the month of June.

According to the survey, OPEC’s 13 members pumped 22.62 million barrels per day in June, 1.92 million barrels per day below May’s revised figure. The lowest since May 1991.

OPEC and allies, together referred to as OPEC plus, had agreed to cut oil production by 9.7 million barrels per day in the month of April to rebalance the global oil market and prop up prices amid COVID-19 pandemic.

OPEC’s share of the 9.7 million barrels per day production cut was 6.084 million bpd but OPEC delivered 6.523 million bpd cut in the month of June despite the inconsistencies from Nigeria, Angola and Iraq.

In June, Saudi Arabia reduced production by 1.13 million barrels per day to 7.53 million bpd. While Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates met their quota but struggle to fulfill the extra cuts.

Nigeria, Iraq and Angola continue to struggle in the month of June. However, their performance improved compared to May as Nigeria attained 77 percent compliance level, up from 19 percent in May.

While Iraq and Angola achieved 70 percent and 80 percent compliance level, respectively. Nigeria and Iraq have pledged to cut more in July despite their economic challenges. Angola, however, said it would not be able to cut extra oil production until October.

Brent crude oil, against which Nigerian oil is measured, rose to $42.48 per barrel on Friday as at 2:58 pm Nigerian time.