OPEC+ set to keep oil output targets steady, sources say

OPEC+ Expected to Maintain December Oil Output Targets as Disruptions Continue

OPEC+ Meeting and Oil Production Targets Overview

By Ahmad Ghaddar and Olesya Astakhova

Current Production Targets and Export Disruptions

LONDON/MOSCOW, Nov 1 (Reuters) - OPEC+ oil-producing countries were set to keep oil production targets steady for December at a meeting on Sunday as the group still struggles with export disruptions from the US-Iran war.

The seven core OPEC+ members have agreed in principle to keep output unchanged for next month, three people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Saturday, in line with expectations that further policy adjustments will not occur until next year.

Details of the Upcoming OPEC+ Meeting

Sunday's online meeting of the seven countries — Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan and Oman — comes as Gulf members have been boosting exports that have been disrupted for months by the conflict. Most, however, are still pumping well below their targets.

All of the people declined to be identified. The meeting starts at 1200 GMT, one of them said.

Background on OPEC+ and Recent Policy Decisions

OPEC+ comprises the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia. 

Recent Output Adjustments

The group has been boosting output targets for much of 2026 and in September completed the phased rollback of a 1.65 million-barrel-per-day supply cut first agreed in 2023. At earlier meetings, it kept the targets steady for October and November.

Future Policy and Quota Negotiations

Reuters reported in July that OPEC+ was likely to make no changes to its targets during the fourth quarter as it turns its focus to 2027 quota negotiations.

The group still has one more layer of production cuts of about 2 million bpd covering most members through the end of 2026.

Review of Production Capacity and Future Plans

OPEC+ needs to complete a review of members' production capacity during the fourth quarter before setting the 2027 baselines that will determine future quotas and shape plans to unwind those cuts, sources have said.

(Writing by Alex Lawler; Editing by Joe Bavier)