Opec aims for higher compliance, sees 2017 stock fall

[LONDON] Opec countries are aiming to boost compliance with agreed oil output curbs further from January's high levels in a bid to clear a supply glut that has weighed on prices, the group's secretary general said on Tuesday.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) is curbing its output by about 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) from Jan 1, the first cut in eight years. Russia and 10 other non-Opec producers agreed to cut half as much.

Opec secretary general Mohammad Barkindo said that the production data for January in Opec's most recent monthly report showed conformity from participating Opec nations with agreed output curbs above 90 per cent.

"All countries involved remain resolute in the determination to achieve a higher level of conformity," he said in a speech in London, according to a copy of the text.

The supply cut deal is helping to support oil prices, which at close to US$57 a barrel are up from the low US$30s a year ago, but still-rising US inventories and expectations the Opec cut will revive US shale drilling have limited the rally.

Mr Barkindo said that oil inventories were expected to decline this year.

"It was evident in the last quarter of 2016 that total OECD commercial oil stocks were falling, and it is expected that we will see a further drop during 2017," he said.

"We will continue to focus on the level of inventory drawdown to bring the level closer to the five-year industry average."

REUTERS