Saudi Arabia will reduce how much oil it sends to the global economy, taking a unilateral step to support the sagging cost of crude after two earlier production cuts by members of the Opec+ alliance of major oil-producing countries failed to push prices higher.
The announcement of the Saudi cuts of one million barrels per day came on Sunday after a meeting of the alliance at OPEC headquarters in Vienna.
The rest of the Opec+ oil producers agreed to extend earlier cuts in supply through the end of 2024.
The slump in oil prices has helped drivers in the West fill their tanks more cheaply and given consumers worldwide some relief from inflation. That the Saudis felt another cut was necessary underlines the uncertain outlook for demand for fuel in the months ahead.
There are concerns about economic weakness in the US and Europe, while China’s rebound from Covid-19 restrictions has been less robust than many had hoped.
Saudi Arabia, the dominant producer in the Opec oil cartel, was one of several members that agreed on a surprise cut of 1.16 million barrels per day in April. The kingdom’s share was 500,000.
That followed Opec+ announcing in October that it would slash two million barrels per day, angering US president Joe Biden by threatening higher petrol prices a month before the midterm elections.
However, those cuts gave little lasting boost to oil prices. International benchmark Brent crude climbed as high as $87 per barrel but has given up its post-cut gains and been loitering below $75 per barrel in recent days. US crude has dipped below $70.
Those lower prices have helped US drivers with prices at the pump averaging $3.55, down $1.02 from a year ago, according to auto club AAA.
Falling energy prices also helped inflation in the 20 European countries that use the euro drop to the lowest level since before Russia invaded Ukraine.
It is possible the latest production cut could send oil prices up and with them, petrol costs. But there is uncertainty about when the slow-growing global economy will regain its thirst for fuel for travel and industry.
The cut follows Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s sharp warning to speculators betting on lower oil prices. The Saudis need sustained high oil revenue to fund ambitious development projects aimed at diversifying the country’s economy away from oil.
The International Monetary Fund estimates the kingdom needs $80.90 per barrel to meet its envisioned spending commitments, which include a planned $500 billion futuristic desert city project called Neom.
While oil producers need revenue to fund their state budgets, they also have to take into account the impact of higher prices on oil-consuming countries.
Oil prices that go too high can fuel inflation, sapping consumer purchasing power and pushing central banks like the US Federal Reserve towards further interest rate hikes.
Higher rates target inflation but can slow economic growth by making credit harder to get for purchases or business investment.
