OPEC unfazed by oil’s drop below $100

OPEC members seemed unconcerned by a slide in oil prices below $100 a barrel on Monday, with two officials from the producer group saying winter demand in coming weeks should support the market.

Brent crude fell below $100 a barrel for the first time in 14 months, buckling on concerns about slower economic growth. [O/R] Top OPEC exporter Saudi Arabia favors oil at $100, which many others in the 12-member group also support.

“The fall in prices is a temporary thing. They are still within the acceptable range. There is no real worry,” said a delegate from one of OPEC’s Gulf members.

“It is not a permanent drop. We are now approaching winter so the prices are expected to rise.”

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries does not have a official price target. Prices still need to fall further to be outside an acceptable zone cited by Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi in June, when he said oil at “$100, $110, $95 is a good price.”

A second source made similar remarks to the Gulf OPEC delegate.

“Member countries seem relaxed at the moment,” said the OPEC source. “I have not heard of any concern.”

Gulf Arab oil ministers gather on Thursday for an annual meeting. While this typically does not include discussions on output targets, they may take the opportunity to comment on price levels.

 

reuters