Saturday, December 6, 2025

Ahmad Ghaddar News

Sources say that OPEC+ will maintain its oil production policy.

Four OPEC+ sources have said that OPEC+ is likely to leave the oil production levels unchanged during its Sunday meetings. The group has slowed down its efforts to regain market shares amid fears of a looming glut. The meeting of OPEC+ - which pumps half the world's crude oil - comes at a time when the United States is trying to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, which would increase oil supplies if sanctions against Russia were eased. Two sources confirmed that ministers are holding a series online meetings. Sanctions could be imposed on Russia if the peace agreement fails.

Sources say that OPEC+ will maintain its oil production policy on Sunday.

Three delegates said that OPEC+ will likely leave the oil production levels for the first three months of 2026 unchanged when it meets on Sunday. This would moderate the push to regain the market share amid fears about a looming glut of supply. Oil prices are under pressure due to the prospect of a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Brent crude oil closed Friday at $63 per barrel, down 15% for the year. The three delegates stated that eight OPEC+ nations are likely to maintain their policy of halting oil production increases in the first quarter 2026, as they have done so this week.

BB Energy, a Houston-based trader, has parted ways with several Houston traders as part of a major reorganization.

Sources familiar with the situation said that commodities trader BB Energy laid off more than a dozen employees from its Houston office and parted ways with some oil traders as part of a major restructuring. A spokesperson for BB Energy confirmed that the company had made adjustments to focus its efforts on its most profitable core businesses, while also diversifying into new high-potential markets. The company didn't say how many people were affected by the changes. Two sources said that BB Energy plans to move some administrative functions from the U.S. to Europe.

Commodities trader BB Energy lays some Houston traders off in major reorganization

Sources familiar with the situation said that BB Energy, a commodities trader, has cut over a dozen employees from its Houston office. This includes oil traders. The move is part of a major restructuring. A spokesperson for BB Energy confirmed that the company had made changes in order to focus its efforts on its most profitable core business while also diversifying into new high-potential markets. The company didn't say how many people were affected by the changes. Two sources said that BB Energy plans to move some administrative functions from the U.S. to Europe.

OPEC+ has agreed to modestly increase oil production from November, according to sources

Three people with knowledge of the situation said that OPEC+ is planning to increase oil production by 137,000 barrels a day (bpd) from November, the same modest increase as October. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and a few smaller producers have increased their oil production targets this year by over 2.6 million barrels per day. This is equivalent to around 2.5% of the global demand. After years of reductions, the policy shift is intended to gain market share away from competitors such as U.S. Shale producers.

Sources say that OPEC+ is planning to increase oil production in November.

Three sources familiar with the discussions said that OPEC+ is likely to approve another increase in oil production of at least 137,000 bbls per day during its meeting on Sunday. The group's desire to gain market share has been boosted by the rising price of oil, they added. OPEC+ reversed its April strategy of production cuts and has already increased quotas to more than 2,500,000 barrels per day. This represents about 2.4% world demand. The goal is to increase market share, and to do so, they have been under pressure by U.S. president Donald Trump, who wants to lower oil prices.

OPEC's oil production rose in July, led by the UAE and Saudi Arabia, according to a survey

A survey on Friday found that OPEC oil production increased in July following an OPEC+ deal to increase production. However, the rise was limited due to Iraq's additional cuts and drone attacks on Kurdish fields. According to the survey, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) pumped 27,38 million barrels of oil per day in June, an increase of 270,000 bpd over the revised total for the month. The United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, were the two countries that saw the biggest increases. OPEC+ - which includes OPEC, its allies, including Russia - is accelerating the plan to undo its latest layer of production cuts.

Sources say that OPEC+ is set to increase oil production again in August.

Four delegates from OPEC+ said that the world's largest oil producer group, OPEC+ is planning to announce a production increase of 411,000 barrels a day for August in order to regain market shares. If the agreement is reached, the increase in supply by OPEC+ would be 1.78 million bpd, which is equivalent to more than 1.5% of the global demand. The group hasn't yet increased production to the agreed volumes because some members have been compensating for overproduction while others are taking longer to bring their output online.

Officials say that Libya offers 22 areas for oil exploration with attractive terms to investors

Libya will offer investors new and attractive terms in its first bid round in over 17 years. The country's top officials in the oil sector told a Libya Bid Round Roadshow held in London on Sunday. Africa's second largest oil producer, and a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC), is looking to increase its oil production. According to the National Oil Corp. (NOC), the country's crude production is currently over 1.4m bpd. This is about 200,000 bpd below its high before civil war. Khalifa Abdsadek…

Novak: OPEC+ does not consider a delay in April's oil supply increase

RIA reported that Russian Deputy Premier Alexander Novak stated on Monday that OPEC+ producers do not plan to delay a series monthly increases in oil supplies scheduled to start in April. Bloomberg News reported Monday, citing delegates that OPEC+ (which groups the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia, and other allies) was examining if it should postpone the increase in supply, despite the calls of U.S. president Donald Trump to reduce oil prices. Three delegates from OPEC+ said that there has been no discussion about delaying the rise.

OPEC+ rolls over oil policy, ditches US government data

OPEC+ decided to continue its policy of increasing oil production gradually from April and removed U.S. Energy Information Administration as a source to monitor their production and adherence with supply pacts. OPEC+ & Donald Trump clashed frequently during Donald Trump's first administration from 2016 to 2020 when the U.S. president demanded that it increase production in order to compensate for the fall in Iranian supply due U.S. sanction. Trump, who returned to the White House after his election, has already called for OPEC's release of more oil in order to lower prices.

Sources say that OPEC+ is likely to stick with its plan to increase oil production.

Despite Donald Trump's pleas to lower oil prices, delegates of the producer group said that OPEC+ would likely stick to its current plan to increase output gradually starting in April. Four OPEC+ source said that the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee meeting, scheduled to start at 1300 GMT on Monday, is unlikely to recommend an increase in output beyond what OPEC+ has already planned. Sources declined to give their names. The meeting follows the announcement by U.S. president Donald Trump of sweeping tariffs against Mexico, Canada, and China, America’s top trading partners.

Sources say that OPEC+ is unlikely to alter its output policy at the Monday meeting of the panel.

OPEC+ will not change its plans to gradually increase production when it meets Monday, delegates told the producer group. This is despite President Donald Trump's request to OPEC and Saudi Arabia, which is de facto leader, to lower prices. The top ministers of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, led by Russia or OPEC+ are scheduled to meet at 1300 GMT, on Monday. This is just days after Trump asked OPEC, Saudi Arabia and other oil-producing countries to pump more. Four OPEC+…

Oil rises by 1% in a 3-week period as sanctions on Russia and Iran increase

The price of oil rose by about 1% on Friday to a record high for three weeks, as a result of expectations that additional sanctions against Russia and Iran would tighten up supplies. Lower interest rates in Europe or the U.S. may also boost the demand for fuel. . U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI), which is a blend of oil from Texas and Louisiana, rose by 79 cents or 1.1% at $70.81. Both crudes were heading for their highest closings since November 22. Brent was on track for a gain of 4% and WTI, a gain of 5%. Analysts at energy advisory company Ritterbusch and Associates wrote in a report that "this strength is driven by...

In 2025, the global diesel price will be supported by refinery closures

Analysts and traders said that the global diesel market would likely see a price boost in 2025 due to the closing of around 1% of the refining capacity. This will offset the current weakness of the market and the structural downward pressure caused by the shift towards cleaner fuels. Markets end 2024 in a shaky state, despite the peak season demand. Margins in key energy hubs around the world, such as Singapore, Northwest Europe, and the Gulf of the United States, have fallen from November's high levels, due to the return of some refineries after maintenance shutdowns.

OPEC+ unlikely change policy on output at Oct. 2 panel

Five sources within the group said that despite recent drops in oil prices an OPEC+ panel will not recommend any changes this week to its current agreement to reduce production or to begin unwinding cuts made since December. On Wednesday, 1200 GMT, top ministers of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) and its allies, led by Russia, will meet online to form a Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC). Brent crude oil prices fell in 2024. Last month, Brent crude dropped below $70 a barrel for the first since 2021. This was due to concerns about global supply and demand outside of OPEC+.

Gunvor chair: Mideast conflict will not affect oil supply but demand is a concern

The CEO of trading firm Gunvor is confident that the conflict in the Middle East won't impact oil supply. He said this on Tuesday. He told the Gulf Intelligence Energy Markets Forum, held in Fujairah that the situation in the Red Sea and Yemen was a nuisance but not disruptive. The market, he said, was more concerned about the weak demand. Brent crude prices dropped by over 2% on Tuesday, to about $70. The prospect of increased supply and a tepid growth in global demand outweighed concerns regarding the escalating conflict and its impact on crude oil exports from Middle East.

New refineries bring down profits for global refiners

Oil refiners across Asia, Europe, and the United States have seen their profitability drop to multi-year-lows. This is a significant downturn in an industry which had previously enjoyed booming returns following the pandemic. It also highlights the global slowdown. This weakness is another sign of a softening consumer and industrial demand in China due to the slowing of economic growth and increasing penetration of electric cars. The pressure on prices has been exacerbated by the addition of new refineries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. TotalEnergies, a refiner, and Glencore, a trading firm, saw a boom in profits in 2022-2023.

Kazakhstan asks for a delay in maintenance of the giant Kashagan Oilfield.

Trading sources familiar with the matter claim that Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry has asked shareholders to delay next year's maintenance, which was scheduled to start at the site on October 1st. Two sources claim that the ministry requested a delay in a letter sent to the partners of the North Caspian Operating Company consortium (NCOC), which operates Kashagan. The letter cited the fear of natural gas shortages during the winter season as the main reason. They added that a decision is expected on September 10. In October, the field that produces 400,000 barrels of oil per day was to be closed for 28 days to perform maintenance.

Sources say that OPEC+ is likely to continue with its planned production increase from October.

OPEC+ will proceed with a planned increase in oil production from October as Libyan outages, and pledged reductions by some members, to compensate for the overproduction, counteract the impact of sluggish consumer demand, according to six sources within the producer group. Eight OPEC+ member countries are expected to increase their output by 180,000 barrels a day in October as part of a strategy to unwind the most recent layer (2.2 million bpd) of cuts while maintaining other cuts until end-2025. Oil prices have been impacted by a slowdown in the growth of demand, notably China.