Skip to main content

Oil producers make the largest production cut in history — will it matter?

On Sunday, oil-producing nations agreed to the largest production cut in history. Whether that will stabilize oil prices and the industry as a whole remains to be seen.

The G-20 energy ministers met on Friday and agreed to “commit to doing whatever it takes, both individually and collectively,” according to a draft communique, to try to save the energy sector.

Electrek reported Friday morning:

Saudi Arabia and Russia agreed to cut oil production by 5 million barrels per day each, for a total of 10 million barrels, following a meeting of OPEC Plus yesterday. The cuts will be gradually phased out to April 2022.

On Sunday, the New York Times reported, those figures ended up being a bit smaller than originally agreed:

The plan by OPEC, Russia, and other allied producers… will slash 9.7 million barrels a day in May and June, or close to 10% of the world’s output.

Analysts expect oil prices, which soared above $100 a barrel only six years ago, to remain below $40 for the foreseeable future. The American oil benchmark price was just over $23 a barrel on Sunday night.

Non-OPEC countries like Brazil and Norway have already been cutting production. It’s unclear whether the US made a formal commitment to reduce oil production, despite Donald Trump leading the negotiations. But according to the Financial Times:

Dan Brouillette, US energy secretary, told the conference he estimated US oil production would be reduced by nearly 2 million b/d this year, or at least 10% of the country’s output.

Further, Reuters reported that the US has agreed to help Mexico with oil reductions. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said:

When I told [Donald Trump] that it was 100,000 [barrels per day] and we couldn’t do any more, he very generously said to me that they were going to help us with the additional 250,000 to what they are going to contribute. So for that I thank him.

The cuts are huge, but the drop in demand is bigger, so whether the cuts will keep the industry from collapsing in the long term remains to be seen. US oil companies have been cutting thousands of jobs and ceasing production and exploration.

The 23-nation group will meet again on June 10 to determine whether further cuts are needed.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews.

Comments

Author

Avatar for Michelle Lewis Michelle Lewis

Michelle Lewis is a writer and editor on Electrek and an editor on DroneDJ, 9to5Mac, and 9to5Google. She lives in White River Junction, Vermont. She has previously worked for Fast Company, the Guardian, News Deeply, Time, and others. Message Michelle on Twitter or at michelle@9to5mac.com. Check out her personal blog.


Manage push notifications

notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications
notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications