VIENNA: The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) announced on Wednesday a significant increase in oil prices in June, with the average Opec basket rising by $6.11 to $69.73 a barrel, in addition to the stability of the global economy in the same month.
Opec reported in its monthly report that Brent crude rose by $5.79 to $69.80 and West Texas Intermediate crude rose by $6.39 to $67.33.
On the economic front, the report indicated that the global economy continued its stable growth, supported by strong performance in the first half of this year, with growth forecasts remaining stable at 2.9 per cent for 2025 and 3.1 per cent for 2026.
The report indicated that forecasts for the world's largest economies remained stable during 2025 and 2026, led by the United States at 1.7 per cent and 2.1 per cent, China at 4.6 per cent and 4.5 per cent, and India at 6.5 per cent. In addition, forecasts for Japan, the Euro zone, Brazil and Russia remained stable.
Global oil demand remained unchanged, with an expected growth of 1.3 million barrels per day for 2025 and 2026, an increase of 100,000 barrels per day from OECD countries and 1.2 million barrels per day from non-OECD countries.
Regarding supplies, Opec expects oil production from countries not participating in the Declaration of Cooperation to grow by 800,000 barrels per day in 2025 and 700,000 barrels per day in 2026, led by the United States, Brazil, Canada and Argentina.
The report indicated that crude oil production from Opec countries participating in the agreement recorded a monthly increase of 349,000 barrels per day in June, reaching approximately 41.56 million barrels per day.
The Opec report also addressed Europe's imports of crude oil and products, indicating an 11 per cent increase. Japan's imports of crude oil declined, although they remained higher than the previous year's levels, and its product exports declined.
The report indicated that commercial oil inventories in OECD countries rose by 34.5 million barrels in May to 2,771 million barrels, but they remain approximately 184 million barrels below the 2015-2019 average, with both crude oil and product inventories rising. — ONA
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