Russian President Vladimir Putin is eager to reach an agreement with the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, to freeze oil production in hopes of prices gaining traction in the global market.
With the U.S. shale boom supplying most of North America, OPEC has upped production to maintain their market share, oilprice reports. This has caused massive price reductions, putting many countries at a loss. Two years ago crude oil was priced at around $100/barrel, but in today’s inundated market it rests below $50.
Russia is struggling economically, as it leads the world in energy exports and oil comprises 40 percent of its revenue. The country is considering tax reforms on oil companies, potentially hurting the industry further. This could lead to job cuts and shutting down of decade old wells. President Putin is determined to repair his nation’s economy.
“I would very much like to hope that every participant of this market that’s interested in maintaining stable and fair global energy prices will in the end make the necessary decision,” said Putin.
Iran’s sanctions were recently lifted, allowing it to reenter the oil market and resume production. World leaders agree that Iran needs to continue growth and shouldn’t be included in this production freeze. To remain at the crippled production level would constrict Iran’s GDP growth, which is now being forecasted as high as 6 percent.
Back in April however, at a meeting in Doha, Prince bin Salman of Saudi Arabia complicated talks by expressing a desire to include Iran in the freeze. This halted the deal and more talks will be necessary before moving forward.
The majority of OPEC countries are in agreement that Iran should not halt oil production. Seeing as this was a last minute change of heart, Putin believes Iran is only a minor setback and the deal will ultimately occur. OPEC is to have further informal talks on September 27th. President Putin plans to discuss the matter with Prince bin Salman at the G20 summit in
Other OPEC members such as Iraq, Nigeria and Libya are debating whether or not to halt production. A freeze doesn’t offer many incentives and will result in a cut in revenue and increase in the unemployment rate.
Brent crude oil futures currently rest at $46.83 and would rise significantly for a prolonged period if a production freeze were to occur.
Investors should buy these futures prior to the next relevant OPEC meeting. According to OPEC, they produced 33 million barrels a day in July, a number that grows by several hundred thousand each month.
Since 2014, when crude oil was at $100/barrel, OPEC and the United States combined have roughly raised production by 4 million barrels/day.
