DUBAI: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has deepened crude oil supply cuts to Asian customers in June to 15 percent from 5 percent in May, several sources with knowledge of the matter said on Thursday.
The supply reduction will apply to the four grades of crude that ADNOC sells to Asia, namely Murban, Das, Umm Lulu and Upper Zakum, they said.
The cuts are part of theUAE obligation under a pact between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, known as OPEC+, to reduce output and balance global oil markets.
ADNOC’s June allocation comes ahead of the next OPEC+ meeting scheduled on April 1, where producers will decide on May supplies.
The UAE, the third biggest oil producer in OPEC behind Saudi Arabia and Iraq, pumps about 2.5 million to 3 million barrels per day, mostly produced by ADNOC.
Four OPEC+ sources told Reuters they expected a similar decision to the last meeting as a new wave of lockdowns across Europe to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus has threatened to cool fuel demand. OPEC+ then broadly stuck to its cuts, allowing Russia and Kazakhstan a modest rise of 150,000 barrels per day.
ADNOC’s supply reduction was aimed at supporting the market, one of the sources said.
“Apparently the market is very fragile,” the source said.
Crude oil producers from Europe, Africa and the United States have faced difficulties selling to Asia, especially China, as buyers took cheaper oil from storage while refinery maintenance has reduced demand, industry sources said.
June also happens to be the first contract month for Murban crude futures, which will be launched by the Intercontinental Exchange Inc. on March 29.
Khaled Salmeen, who heads ADNOC’s downstream, marketing and trading department, said in early March the UAE was adhering to OPEC’s reduction pact, and ADNOC had enough storage to ensure uninterrupted supply of Murban despite production restrictions.
UAE’s ADNOC said to deepen supply cuts to Asia in June in ‘fragile’ market
https://arab.news/rdzkt
UAE’s ADNOC said to deepen supply cuts to Asia in June in ‘fragile’ market
- Next OPEC+ meeting on April 1
- UAE is third biggest OPEC producer
GCC chambers plan Gulf Guarantee project to boost intra-regional trade
DAMMAM: The Federation of GCC Chambers, in cooperation with the Customs Union Authority, intends to launch the Gulf Guarantee Project to provide a unified mechanism for exports and trade transactions and to enhance the efficiency of intra-GCC trade, which reached about $146 billion by the end of 2024, Saleh Al-Sharqi, Secretary-General of the federation, told Al-Eqtisadiah.
Al-Sharqi said, on the sidelines of his meeting with media representatives at the federation’s headquarters in Dammam, that the initiative represents a qualitative leap in supporting intra-GCC trade by facilitating transit movement through a single point, contributing to cost reduction, accelerating the flow of goods, and enhancing the reliability of trade operations among Gulf markets.
He explained that the federation recently launched a package of strategic initiatives, including the Tawasul initiative aimed at strengthening communication among Gulf business owners and supporting the building of trade and investment partnerships, in addition to the Gulf Business Facilitation initiative, which seeks to address challenges facing Gulf investors and traders, simplify procedures, and improve the business environment across member states.
He noted that these initiatives fall within an integrated vision to address obstacles hindering investment and intra-regional trade flows by developing regulatory frameworks, activating communication channels between the public and private sectors, and supporting Gulf economic integration in line with the objectives of the Gulf Common Market.
In a related context, the Secretary-General affirmed the direction of GCC countries to leverage artificial intelligence technologies to support trade and investment flows, stressing the importance of establishing a unified Gulf committee for artificial intelligence to coordinate efforts and exchange expertise among member states. He said the federation will support this direction in the coming phase, drawing on leading international experiences, particularly the Chinese experience in this field.
Regarding the recently announced electric railway project between Riyadh and Doha, Al-Sharqi revealed that technical and advisory committees are working to complete the necessary studies for the project, confirming that it will positively impact passenger and freight movement between the two countries, enhance Gulf logistical integration, and support regional supply chains.
On investment opportunities available to Gulf nationals in the Syrian market, he said the federation is coordinating with private sector representatives in Syria to overcome obstacles that may face the flow of Gulf investments, in addition to working to provide adequate guarantees to protect these investments and ensure a stable and attractive investment environment.
In response to a question from Al-Eqtisadiah about the impact of tariffs imposed by the US on imports of iron, steel, and aluminum, he said that economic and technical committees in GCC countries are continuously monitoring the repercussions of these tariffs on the Gulf private sector, assessing their effects, and taking the necessary measures to protect it from any potential negative impacts.
Al-Sharqi also pointed to the launch of two specialized committees in the transport and logistics sectors and in real estate activities, given their pivotal role and active contribution to Gulf gross domestic product, stressing that developing these two sectors is a fundamental pillar for enhancing economic diversification and increasing the competitiveness of GCC economies.
He added that during the past year the federation held more than 40 meetings and official engagements with Gulf and international entities, participated in nine regional and international events to strengthen the presence of the Gulf private sector on the global stage, and signed 12 agreements and memoranda of understanding with Gulf, regional, and international entities to open new horizons for economic and investment cooperation.
During the same year, the federation launched four digital platforms to support the Gulf private sector, bringing the total number of its digital platforms to eight serving the business community across member states.
The Secretary-General affirmed that the federation will continue working with relevant economic entities to unify procedures and regulations, reduce non-tariff barriers, and accelerate mutual recognition of products and standard specifications, in a way that enhances the competitiveness of the Gulf economy and supports the growth of intra-GCC trade.
