Official OPEC communique confirming they are doing sod all other than trying a bit harder to stick to their 1.2m bpd share of the Nov 2016 production cut deal with Russia (who cut 600k, totalling 1.8m bod) and report back next time, oh and admitting Congo, so that’s going to help, not.
OPEC 174th Meeting
No 13/2018
Vienna, Austria
22 Jun 2018
The Conference offered its congratulations to the OPEC Secretariat for the success of the 7th OPEC International Seminar. It also offered thanks to OPEC Member Countries, as well as to all the speakers, sponsors and delegates, that had made the Seminar such a seminal event. It noted that the Seminar has become a truly global platform for discussing the challenges, as well as opportunities, facing the oil and energy industries.
The Conference considered Congo’s request to join the Organization and decided to approve its admission with immediate effect.
The Conference considered the Secretary General’s report, the report and recommendations made by the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC), supported by the Joint Technical Committee (JTC), which was set-up to monitor conformity to the voluntary production adjustments made by 24 OPEC and non-OPEC producing nations through the ‘Declaration of Cooperation’, as well as the report of the Economic Commission Board and various administrative matters.
The Conference analyzed oil market developments since it last met in Vienna at the end of November and reviewed the oil market outlook for the remainder of 2018. The Conference noted that the oil market situation has further improved over the past six months, with the global economy remaining strong, oil demand relatively robust, albeit with some uncertainties, and with the market rebalancing evidently continuing. Moreover, the return of more stability and more optimism to the industry has been welcomed by all stakeholders.
Reaffirming OPEC’s continued commitment to stable markets, the mutual interest of producing nations, the efficient, economic, and secure supply to consumers, and a fair return on invested capital, and noting the overall improvement in market conditions and sentiment and the return of confidence and investment to the oil industry.
Recalling the 171st OPEC Conference resolution reached on 30 November 2016 for a production adjustment of 1.2 mb/d.
Noting that OPEC Member Countries have exceeded the required level of conformity that had reached 152% in May 2018.
Accordingly, the Conference hereby decided that countries will strive to adhere to the overall conformity level of OPEC-12, down to 100%, as of 1 July 2018 for the remaining duration of the above mentioned resolution and for the JMMC to monitor and report back to the President of the Conference.
The Conference thanked all OPEC Member Countries, as well as participating non-OPEC countries in the historic ‘Declaration of Cooperation’, for their dedication to the voluntary production adjustments, which can be viewed in the continued high-level of conformity levels so far this year.
The Conference extended its deep appreciation to the JMMC, the JTC and the OPEC Secretariat for their valuable engagement in providing the transparency required for implementing the voluntary production decisions in a timely and equitable manner.
It also noted the important work that has been undertaken by these committees to review alternative and/or adjusted metrics to measure the impact of the Declaration of Cooperation. The Conference supported the findings that a single metric is not sufficient in terms of measuring market stability and therefore a more comprehensive and forward looking set of metrics is recommended to enhance the analytical depth and understanding of the complex global oil demand and supply dynamics beyond the short-term.
The Conference also acknowledged the crucial role played by participating non-OPEC nations in the ‘Declaration of Cooperation’, and stressed the importance of the 4th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting that would take place tomorrow (23 June 2018) at the OPEC Secretariat.
The Conference welcomed the positive dialogue and technical expert interactions that have evolved among all Parties of the ‘Declaration of Cooperation’. This includes the most recent 3rd Technical Meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC Producing Countries on 19 June, which focused on oil market fundamentals and medium-term prospects.
The Conference decided that its next Ordinary Meeting will convene in Vienna, Austria, on 3 December 2018.
Finally, the Conference expressed its continued sincere gratitude to the Government and to the people of the Republic of Austria, as well as the authorities of the City of Vienna, for their warm hospitality and excellent arrangements made for the Conference Meeting.
