Saudi Arabia to cut oil output in July as Opec extends deal into 2024

Saudi Arabia will make deep production cuts in July as part of a broader output-limiting Opec+ deal as the group faces flagging oil prices and a looming supply glut. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz said the cut of one million barrels per day (bpd) by Riyadh could be extended beyond July if needed. “This is a Saudi lollipop,” he said. Opec+, which groups the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia, reached a deal on output policy after seven hours of talks and decided to reduce overall production targets from 2024 by a further total of 1.4m bpd. However, many of these reductions will not be real as the group lowered the targets for Russia, Nigeria and Angola to bring them into line with their actual current production levels. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates was allowed to raise output. Opec+ pumps around 40 per cent of the world’s crude, meaning its policy decisions can have a major impact on oil prices. Opec+ already has in place a cut of 2m bpd agreed last year and amounting to 2pc of global demand.