OPEC December oil output slips as Nigeria, Iraq comply more

OPEC oil output fell in December as Nigeria and Iraq adhered more closely to pledged reductions and top exporter Saudi Arabia made further cuts ahead of a new production-limiting accord, a Reuters survey found.

On average, the 14-member Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries pumped 29.50 million barrels per day (bpd) last month, according to the survey. That is down 50,000 bpd from November's revised figure.

Crude prices have rallied to above $70 a barrel in 2020, extending a 23 percent gain in 2019, supported by ongoing OPEC-led curbs and increased Middle East tensions after the killing of a top Iranian general. This has increased concern of conflict that could further cut supply.

"Looking ahead, geopolitical risks will remain front and centre of investor concerns," said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM.

"A tense waiting game has begun to see if the fallout will lead to a disruption in regional oil supplies."

OPEC, Russia and other allies, known as OPEC+, had an agreement to reduce supply by 1.2 million bpd in 2019. OPEC's share of the cut was about 800,000 bpd, to be made by 11 members, with exemptions for Iran, Libya and Venezuela.

At meetings in December, OPEC+ agreed to make an additional cut of 500,000 bpd as of Jan. 1, 2020.

The 11 OPEC members bound by the agreement easily exceeded the pledged cuts, thanks in large part to Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies cutting more than called for to support the market.

The December survey suggests Nigeria and Iraq, both laggards in making cuts in 2019, achieved some progress. Compliance rose to 158 percent in December, the survey found, from 153 percent in November.

NIGERIAN DROP

OPEC's largest production drop of 80,000 bpd was in Nigeria, which exported less crude according to ship-tracking data and loading schedules.

Much of this decline came from reduced shipments of Bonga crude, which traders say has been undergoing maintenance.

OPEC's two top producers, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, each reduced output by 50,000 bpd. This puts Saudi supply more than 500,000 bpd below its 2019 target. Iraq's compliance, at 59 percent, is far lower than Saudi Arabia's but is up from 23 percent in November.

The United Arab Emirates made a further voluntary curb in December, while Kuwaiti output was steady.

Among countries pumping more, the largest increase was in Angola, which boosted exports after maintenance affecting the Girassol crude stream had curbed supplies.

Venezuela, which is contending with US sanctions imposed on state oil firm PDVSA and a long-term decline in output, managed a small boost to supply with exports increasing in December.

Production from the other two exempt producers Libya and Iran edged lower.

The Reuters survey aims to track supply to the market and is based on shipping data provided by external sources, Refinitiv Eikon flows data and information provided by sources at oil companies, OPEC and consultants.