New Delhi: Global oil markets were caught off guard over the weekend when OPEC+ confirmed the start of the second tranche unwind of its voluntary production cuts. From October, the group will bring back 137,000 barrels per day (bpd), a move that goes against expectations that supply would be held steady to support prices in an already oversupplied market. The decision signals a major shift in the producer group’s strategy — from defending prices to protecting market share.
The key decision
The production hike is modest in volume terms, but significant in messaging. Analysts point out that only a handful of members — mainly Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iraq — have the spare capacity to raise output. Russia, which is under pressure to sustain revenues amid Western sanctions, is likely to benefit from even small increases. Gulf producers, however, are pursuing a longer-term strategy, prioritising market share even if it means lower prices in the short run.
Rystad Energy’s Chief Economist Claudio Galimberti explained, “Riyadh and its allies signaled a decisive pivot: defending market share now outweighs defending prices. The headline volume may look marginal, but the messaging is not. By allowing supply back into a market moving toward surplus, OPEC+ is playing offense, not defense. Traders have been put on notice.”
Why this matters
The group’s decision comes at a time when global oil demand growth is slowing and inventories are building. By adding supply, OPEC+ risks softer prices, but it ensures it retains influence over global markets. The strategy underscores a broader shift in priorities — safeguarding relevance in a changing energy landscape where renewables are gradually eroding oil’s dominance.
At the same time, the move highlights widening fault lines within OPEC+. For Russia, higher output means critical revenue to fund its budget. For Gulf producers, the calculation is about long-term positioning as competition intensifies.
Geopolitical undercurrents
Beyond supply decisions, geopolitical tensions also play a role in shaping oil market dynamics. The US has been targeting vessels linked to Venezuela and could extend action to aircraft suspected of drug trafficking. Any escalation could trigger regional instability and add to oil market volatility.
The US economic backdrop
The OPEC+ decision coincides with weak macroeconomic data in the US. August payrolls grew by just 22,000, while revisions turned June into net job losses. This has strengthened expectations of a 25-basis point cut by the Federal Reserve next week, with markets pricing in the possibility of three cuts before the year ends. Treasury yields have fallen, equities have been volatile, and gold has touched new highs. Notably, global central banks now hold more gold than US Treasuries for the first time since 1996.
What’s next
This week’s US Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) data will be critical for markets ahead of the Fed meeting. In Europe, the European Central Bank is expected to hold rates steady as inflation stabilises. For oil traders, the immediate focus will be on how Brent prices adjust to OPEC+’s latest move. The group’s signal that it is prepared to live with lower prices has altered market expectations going into the fourth quarter.
