Opec must work with other producers to boost oil prices: Saudi oil minister

[RIYADH] Oil producers outside Opec must cooperate to boost falling crude prices as the cartel refuses to take responsibility alone, the Saudi oil minister has said.

"We refuse to take responsibility alone because (Opec) produces 30 per cent of market output and 70 per cent comes from outside," Ali al-Naimi said in remarks carried on Monday by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Crude prices slumped by about 60 per cent between June and February, weighed down by a glut of global supplies and concerns about stalling demand.

The slide was exacerbated in November when Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) refused to cut production to rescue falling prices, saying it wanted to maintain its market share.

The 12-member group, led by top producer Saudi Arabia, pumps around a third of the world's oil but other major producers, such as Russia, are not tied by its decisions.

Asked whether Opec would be willing to work with non-members, Mr Naimi pointed to the crash of 1998 when the cartel cooperated with other producers to cut output and support oil prices.

"Today, the situation is difficult. We tried, met with them but did not succeed because they insisted that Opec should take the responsibility alone," said Naimi, in reference to meetings with non-Opec producers ahead of the cartel's meeting in November.

"All must contribute if we want to improve prices because it is in the interest of all," the Saudi minister said.

Oil prices fell in Asian trade Monday with US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for May delivery was down 65 cents at US$45.92 and Brent tumbled 58 cents to US$54.74.

Bloomberg News quoted Mr Naimi as saying on Sunday that his country is producing almost 10 million barrels of crude a day.

Saudi Arabia pumped 9.85 million barrels a day in February, according to Bloomberg.

AFP