OPEC+ confirmed on Sunday that it’ll preserve oil manufacturing regular by way of the primary quarter of 2026, as eight key producers reaffirmed their dedication to market stability amid a gentle international financial outlook and what they described as wholesome oil market fundamentals.
Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman met nearly on January 4 to evaluate international market situations and outlook. The group reiterated its choice, first introduced on November 2, 2025, to pause deliberate manufacturing will increase in February and March 2026, citing seasonal demand patterns.
Following the assembly, OPEC+ produced the next manufacturing desk for February 2026:
In a joint assertion, the eight producers mentioned present market situations stay supportive, pointing to comparatively low international inventories as an indication that the oil market is nicely balanced regardless of final 12 months’s sharp decline in crude costs. Oil costs fell greater than 18% in 2025, the steepest annual drop for the reason that pandemic, as provide development outpaced demand and considerations over a rising glut mounted.
The group additionally emphasised that the beforehand introduced 1.65 million barrels per day of voluntary manufacturing cuts may very well be returned to the market both partly or in full, relying on evolving market situations, and solely in a gradual method. The producers harassed that flexibility stays central to their technique, together with the choice to increase or reverse further voluntary changes, akin to the two.2 million barrels per day of cuts introduced in November 2023.
OPEC+ additional reiterated its collective dedication to full conformity with the Declaration of Cooperation. The producers confirmed that any overproduction since January 2024 shall be totally compensated, with compliance and compensation to be monitored by the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC).
Regardless of heightened geopolitical tensions — together with strains between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over Yemen and uncertainty surrounding Venezuela following the U.S. seize of President Nicolas Maduro — delegates mentioned these developments didn’t alter the group’s near-term coverage stance.
The eight OPEC+ international locations agreed to proceed holding month-to-month conferences to evaluate market situations, compliance ranges, and compensation progress. Their subsequent assembly is scheduled for February 1, 2026.
By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com
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