Oil Prices Continue Upward Trend on Potential Cutbacks

Photo of author

By Jacob Maslow

Global oil prices went up again on Monday, continuing last week’s trend following reports of a potential meeting among major producers about production cutbacks in an effort to address a supply glut that has dragged prices to their lowest level in over a decade.

Global benchmark Brent crude futures (LCOc1) went up $0.33 to sell at $33.69 per barrel as of 10:23 GMT, while U.S. futures (CLc1) sold at $29.79 per barrel, $0.35 higher than Friday’s closing price. Oil trading, on Monday, was thinner than usual on Monday as the markets were closed to celebrate President’s Day.

Last week, the United Arab Emirates’ energy minister said the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is willing to cooperate on a production cutback to address market saturation.

In a report by Reuters, Nigeria’s oil minister revealed that OPEC is close to reaching a consensus on actions that could help prop up prices.

Meanwhile, non-OPEC oil producer Russia on Monday called for improved relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia so joint action can be taken by major oil producers to improve global oil prices.

Iran, which was recently allowed back in the global market, is exporting 1.3 million barrels of oil per day, and is looking to increase exports to 1.5 million barrels per day by March 20th  — the start of the Iranian new year.

Images Courtesy of DepositPhotos