Opec threatens more cuts to output, pushing oil higher

London —  Oil jumped above $61 a barrel on Monday, supported by hints that Opec and its allies may agree to deepen output cuts at a meeting this week and as rising manufacturing activity in China suggested stronger demand.

Opec and allies including Russia are expected to extend output cuts this week and could increase the size of the curb by at least 400,000 barrels per day (bpd), two sources said.

Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose $1.20 to $61.69 a barrel by 8.25am GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude added $1.05 to $56.22.

The so-called Opec+ group has co-ordinated output for three years to balance the market and support prices. Their current deal to cut supply by 1.2-million bpd that started in January expires at the end of March 2020.

“Any sign of discontent between the producers will send out negative signals and will put significant downward pressure on the oil price,” said Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM. “We believe this is unlikely to happen.”

Opec’s ministers will meet in Vienna on Thursday and the wider Opec+ group will gather on Friday.

On Friday, Brent and US crude both fell on concerns that talks to end the trade war between the US and China, the world’s two biggest oil consumers, would be disrupted by US support for protesters in Hong Kong.

Oil also rose on Monday due to an unexpected return to growth in Chinese factory activity in November as domestic demand picked up on Beijing’s accelerated stimulus measures. That is supportive of the oil demand outlook.

But US production keeps rising led by shale oil, filling the gaps left by Opec, with output in September increasing to a new record of 12.46-million bpd, the US government said in a monthly report on Friday.

It is not certain that Opec+ will agree this week to deepen its curbs. Some in the group are wary of encouraging more US production by measures to support prices.

“A deeper cut could boost prices, which would bring on more shale output and not help,” the Opec source said. “If WTI goes up to $60, there will be more shale.”

Reuters