The White House has accused Opec+ of aligning with Russia after Saudi Arabia led the group in agreeing deep oil production cuts, prompting a backlash from countries already battling surging energy inflation triggered by Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Opec+ group said it would reduce production targets by 2mn barrels a day, equivalent to 2 per cent of global supply, following its first in-person meeting in two years in Vienna. The actual cut in output is likely to be closer to 1mn b/d as many weaker members have struggled to hit production targets in recent months.
The decision to cut came despite extensive lobbying by the US government before the meeting and marks a significant breach with the Biden administration, which is seeking to drive down oil and petrol prices ahead of crucial midterm elections in November and to starve Russia of energy revenues.
The Biden administration criticised the move on cuts, saying it was a “shortsighted decision” at a time when “maintaining a global supply of energy is of paramount importance”. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Air Force One it was “clear” Opec+ was “aligning with Russia”.
Saudi Arabia’s energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman dismissed suggestions that the cartel’s cuts would hurt oil consumers, arguing instead that the group’s actions were intended to encourage long-term investment in oil production.
“Show me where is the act of belligerence,” he said in response to questions following the announcement. Energy markets required “guidance without which investment would not happen”.
In response to the Opec+ decision, the US said it would continue to release oil from its strategic stockpiles “as appropriate” and was exploring “additional responsible actions” to lift domestic oil supply.
Biden will also work with Congress on legislation to “reduce Opec’s control over energy prices”, its statement added, in an apparent reference to anti-cartel legislation known as NOPEC that has long been considered by US lawmakers but never passed.
Oil prices have risen more than 5 per cent since Friday in the run-up to the meeting, and international benchmark Brent edged higher to $93.95 a barrel after news of the cut.
Analysts said Saudi Arabia’s move, which will damage western governments’ efforts to curb Russian oil income used to sustain its war in Ukraine, marked a significant moment in Riyadh’s 75-year-long energy alliance with the US.
“Saudi Arabia has set Opec on a collision course with the free world. They have sided with Russia in the name of protective oil market management — just as consumers across the world are battling inflation and the rising cost of living,” said Bill Farren-Price, a veteran Opec watcher at consultancy Enverus. “There are bound to be political consequences for Riyadh.”
The cartel’s decision to cut comes hours after EU countries agreed to a US plan to impose a price cap on Russian oil exports, an effort by western countries to drive down prices of crude and fuel. Saudi Arabia and other Opec Gulf countries feared this plan would cut oil prices across the board and could even be used against them in future.
“This is hugely political and a very clear signal of Opec’s discontent regarding the price cap,” said Amrita Sen, chief oil analyst at Energy Aspects. “Regardless of whether the price cap is actually effective, they see this as a dangerous precedent.”
Opec secretary-general Haitham al-Ghais from Kuwait argued the group was providing “security” and “stability” for energy markets.
“Everything has a price,” he said. “Energy security has a price as well.”
United Arab Emirates energy minister Suhail Al Mazrouei said that the group was focused on averting an oil price crash like the one in 2008, and did not want to get involved with discussions over Russia’s role in the market.
“In Europe they have their own story, in Russia they have their own story. We can’t be siding with this country or that country,” Mazrouei told the FT.