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OIL AND GAS
OPEC rumors catch up with U.S. gas prices
by Daniel J. Graeber
Washington (UPI) Aug 16, 2016


Russia hesitantly on board with OPEC price efforts
Moscow (UPI) Aug 15, 2016 - The Kremlin is on board with efforts made by OPEC to stabilize market prices, but such efforts should be temporary, the Russian energy minister said.

Referencing an interview in the Arab-language Ahsarq al-Awsat, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak was quoted by Russian news agency Tass as saying the door is open to multilateral efforts to stimulate the market should such a need arise.

"Speculators noted that producing countries may reach an agreement," he said.

Novak met in early 2016 with his counterparts from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela to consider production arrangements. He said in April he was "optimistic" that major producers would agree to hold output steady at January levels. When the proposal dissolved in June, Novak said he expected members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to stand pat on long-term policies that favor market dynamics.

"We didn't expect any surprises," he said at the time. Novak was quoted Monday by the Russian news agency as saying he was on board with the renewed proposals, "provided that these are made temporarily."

In recent remarks to the official Saudi Press Agency, the Saudi oil minister confirmed oil production was at a record 10.6 million barrels per day. Despite signs of sluggish economic growth, the minister said there's still a strong demand for Saudi oil because other producers are in decline because of the pressure from lower oil prices.

Nevertheless, Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Khalid al-Falih said crude oil prices are too low to support investments necessary for an increase in overall output.

"We are, in Saudi Arabia, watching the market closely, and if there is a need to take any action to help the market rebalance, then we would, of course in cooperation with OPEC and major non-OPEC exporters," he said.

A meeting of producers is scheduled next month in Algeria.

Rumors of possible action from major oil-producing nations are spilling over to the retail sector, putting upward pressure on U.S. fuel prices, analysts said.

Motor club AAA reports a national average retail price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline at $2.12, relatively unchanged from one week ago and 4 percent less than one month ago. In its weekly retail report, AAA said stability overall masks volatility at the regional level.

"As is frequently the case, the Midwest features the most dramatic pump price movement in the nation, including the only five states posting a weekly price change of more than a nickel," it said.

Overnight, Michigan gas prices moved up nearly 2 percent, while Illinois was more muted with a 0.6 percent increase. Some of the pressure at the retail level there may be in response to the lingering impact of since-resolved issues at a BP refinery in Whiting, Ind., the largest in the region.

Crude oil prices, meanwhile, are up more than 10 percent from one week ago as rumors gain leverage over other market factors. A proposal to freeze crude oil production at January levels earlier this year went nowhere amid multilateral differences after months of speculation. AAA notes that, if there's an agreement to limit production at a meeting in Algeria next month, retail gasoline prices are lightly to buck seasonal trends and move higher.

The retail report from AAA adds, however, that some OPEC members are already producing oil at record-setting levels even as industry reports show the market is moving closer toward balance.

"As oil prices have continued to lift, gasoline prices may see additional slight increases in some parts of the country again this week, but overall, gasoline and diesel prices remain very low considering we're nearing the conclusion of the summer driving season," Patrick DeHaan, a senior petroleum analyst at GasBuddy, added in an emailed commentary.

The national average price for gas on this date last year was $2.66 per gallon. Because of similar issues at BP's refinery, Michigan gas prices last year were over $3 per gallon.


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