BENGALURU: US investment bank Goldman Sachs said the OPEC+ deal to boost oil supply supports its view on oil prices and expects modest “upside” to its summer forecast for Brent to reach $80 a barrel.
OPEC+, comprising the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and other producers, agreed on Sunday to boost oil supply from August to cool prices which have climbed to 2-1/2 year highs.
“The agreement had two distinct points of focus: a moderate increase in production which will keep the market in deficit in the coming months, as well as guidance for higher capacity which will be needed in coming years given growing under-investment,” Goldman Sachs said in a note.
Goldman said the deal is in line with its view that “OPEC should focus on maintaining a tight physical market all the while guiding for higher future capacity and disincentivizing competing investments.”
The OPEC+ deal represents $2 per barrel “upside” to its $80 per barrel summer Brent price forecast and a $5 upside to its $75 per barrel forecast for next year, Goldman said.
However, Goldman expects oil prices to gyrate in the coming weeks due to the risks from the Delta variant and the slower velocity of supply developments relative to recent mobility gains.
With most of its expected summer demand gains already achieved and with growing headwinds from the Delta COVID-19 variant, Goldman said the catalyst for the next leg higher in prices is shifting from the demand to the supply side, with upside risks to price forecasts in the coming months.
Oil prices fell more than $1 a barrel on Monday, after the OPEC+ group of producers overcame internal divisions and agreed to boost output, sparking concerns over a supply glut amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Goldman Sachs sees ‘upside’ to oil price forecasts from OPEC+ supply deal
Goldman Sachs sees ‘upside’ to oil price forecasts from OPEC+ supply deal
Arab Energy Fund takes minority stake in Saudi energy firm APSCO
RIYADH: The Arab Energy Fund has acquired a minority stake in Saudi Arabia’s Arabian Petroleum Supply Co., backing one of the Kingdom’s largest private energy solutions providers as it looks to expand across the Middle East and beyond.
The investment initiates a partnership aimed at pursuing opportunities across the Middle East, North Africa, and select international markets, covering APSCO’s core and adjacent business sectors.
The move underscores TAEF’s commitment to investing in established regional leaders while promoting innovation and sustainable growth across the energy value chain.
According to a press release, the transaction marks The Arab Energy Fund’s first investment of 2026, following an active 2025 during which the fund completed several key deals, including investments in Jafurah Midstream Gas Co. alongside BlackRock and in the platform Tagaddod.
Khalid Al-Ruwaigh, CEO of The Arab Energy Fund, commented on the deal, saying: “APSCO represents a unique platform with strong fundamentals and a proven track record in critical energy segments.”
He added: “This investment aligns with our mandate to support high-quality energy and energy-adjacent businesses that are well-positioned to capture growth across the region and beyond.”
The Arab Energy Fund is a multilateral impact financial institution established in 1974 by 10 Arab oil-exporting countries.
Mohammed Ali Ibrahim Alireza, managing director, APSCO, said: “We welcome The Arab Energy Fund as a strategic partner supporting our next phase of growth.”
He added: “As a pioneer in energy solutions for over 60 years, APSCO remains committed to quality, reliability, and innovation, while continuing to contribute to Vision 2030 by enhancing efficiency and minimizing environmental impact.”
The partnership is designed to bolster APSCO’s long-term growth strategy, operational excellence, and geographic expansion, leveraging TAEF’s regional expertise and institutional network.
APSCO is a Saudi energy company with more than 60 years of experience in integrated energy solutions, including aviation fuels, lubricants, and a nationwide automotive retail network.
The company holds long-term partnerships with global energy leaders, including a 60-year relationship with ExxonMobil for lubricant distribution across several Middle Eastern countries. Since 1999, APSCO has also been the exclusive aviation fueling services provider for Saudia.
