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June
14
2017

OPEC Oil Prodcution Rises Most In 6 Months, Hits Highest Since December
Tyler Durden

Well, so much for OPEC's production cut

In OPEC's latest Monthly Oil Market Report, the oil producing cartel reported that in May - the same month OPEC met to extend its production cuts - crude output climbed the most in six month, since November 2016, rising by 336.1kb/d to 31.139 mmb/d, the highest monthly production of 2017, as members exempt from the original Vienna deal restored lost supply.

From the report:

Preliminary data indicates that global oil supply increased by 0.13 mb/d in May to average 95.74 mb/d, m-o-m. It also showed an increase of 1.48 mb/d, y-o-y. A decrease in non-OPEC supply, including OPEC NGLs represents a contraction of 0.21 mb/d m-o-m but an increase of 0.34 mb/d in OPEC crude oil production, not only offset the decline of non-OPEC supply but also increased overall global oil output in May. The share of OPEC crude oil in total global production stood at 33.6% in May, an increase of 0.3% from the month before. Estimates are based on preliminary data for non-OPEC supply, direct  communication for OPEC NGLs and non-conventional liquids, and secondary sources for OPEC crude oil production

Specifically, Libya pumped 730k b/d in May, up 178kb/d from 552kb/d in April; Nigeria output jumped to 1.68m b/d vs 1.506m b/d, a 174kb/d increase, while even the biggest producer Saudi Arabia, saw its output grow by 2.3kb/d to 9.94mb/d vs 9.938m b/d in April.


Not surprisngly, in an attempt to preserve the "reduction" narrative, in its self-reported figures, Saudi Arabia told OPEC via direct communication that it produced 9.88mb/d in May, down 66.2kb/d from April's 9.946mb/d, although these figures are looking increasingly suspect.

Perpetuating its existence of forced self-delusion, OPEC predicted that surplus oil inventories would continue to decline in 2H 2017 as their cuts (what cuts) take effect and demand picks up. “The re-balancing of the market is underway” OPEC wrote, conceding that it is taking place "at a slower pace" and adding that “the decline seen in the overhang” in developed-nation stockpiles “is expected to continue in the second half, supported by production adjustments by OPEC and participating non-OPEC producers." There was little discussion of the soaring US shale output, which as we wrote last night is expected to hit an all time high next month.

From the monthly report:

The decline seen in the overhang in OECD commercial oil inventories in the first four months of the year – from 339 mb to 251 mb compared to the five-year average (Graph 2) – is expected to continue in the second half, supported by production adjustments by OPEC and participating non-OPEC producers.

These trends along with the steady decline in oil in floating storage, indicate that the rebalancing of the market is underway, but at a slower pace, given the changes in fundamentals since December, especially the shift in US supply from an expected contraction to positive growth. In light of these developments, OPEC and the participating non-OPEC countries decided to extend production adjustments for a further period of nine months in recognition of the need for continuing cooperation among oil exporting countries in order to achieve a lasting stability in the oil market,

Additionally, OPEC lowered forecasts for Russia production in 2H by 200k b/d, while the overall outlook for non-OPEC supply in 2H was reduced by 200k b/d, vs pledge of total reduction of ~558k b/d. The surplus in oil inventories in developed nations relative to their five-year average -- OPEC’s main measure of the overhang -- is down to 251m bbl from 339m at end-2016.

The report kept 2017 global oil demand growth forecast unchanged from previous month’s estimate at 1.27m b/d y/y, while it cut full year non-OPEC supply growth estimate to 840k b/d y/y, a downward revision of 110k b/d.  Which is, of course, wrong if Goldman's forecast for shale production is even remotely accurate.

 

 

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