OPEC+ production cuts between January and August 2020 contributed to global oil market rebalancing (9/10/2020)

As global demand for petroleum liquids declined significantly in March and April 2020, global oil inventories increased at record levels, rising by an average of 5.9 million barrels per day (b/d) in the first quarter and 7.2 million b/d in the second quarter of 2020. As a result of the lower demand and ample global oil inventories, global crude oil prices fell in March and April to record lows. In response to these market conditions, on April 15, members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and partner countries (OPEC+) agreed to reduce crude oil production. The OPEC+ agreement called for a decrease in crude oil output by a combined 9.7 million b/d in May and June, a combined decrease of 9.6 million b/d in July 2020, and a combined decrease of 7.7 million b/d in August (not accounting for compensation cuts for under-complying countries). Compared with January levels, OPEC+ production fell by an estimated 5.9 million b/d in May, 7.9 million b/d in June, 7.1 million b/d in July, and 5.6 million b/d in August. U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data show that OPEC production in May decreased by 6.0 million b/d from April, which was the largest monthly production decline on record. Between January and July 2020, OPEC crude oil production decreased by 5.7 million b/d. The non-OPEC partner countries reduced their production by 2.8 million b/d in July from production levels in January 2020. EIA data for non-OPEC producers include crude oil and condensate production. ... More »