by rockdoc123 » Tue 19 Apr 2011, 13:49:36
Or it is simply that they can't find anyone to buy their oil at the current price
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'M')inisters from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries insisted Monday that the global market is well-supplied with crude oil, and blamed political and market factors for the steep runup in crude prices this year.
Saudi Arabia confirmed it has cut output by more than 800,000 barrels a day since mid-March, after it had boosted output by some 300,000 barrels daily to help settle markets after civil war broke out in Libya.
Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi cited weak demand for the cut in output, but said the kingdom would be prepared to open the spigots again if demand strengthens ahead of the summer driving season in Europe and North America when gasoline consumption typically peaks.
While lower Saudi production might be expected to trigger an increase in prices, traders apparently took the move as yet another signal that demand for oil is weakening. News of another interest rate hike in China and Standard & Poor’s warning on the intractable nature of the U.S. deficit combined to drive down commodity prices across the board, including crude oil.
and
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'B')ut the Saudis only cut back production after being unable to find customers for their additional output, said Greg Priddy, analyst with Eurasia Group, a Washington-based political risk consultancy.
“They don’t really have a lot of takers right now,” Mr. Priddy said. “As demand ramps up over the summer, they probably will. They’re being a bit cautious but I don’t think it’s the case that they are trying to push prices up from $120.”