OPEC forecasts lower oil demand growth in 2022

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Updated 11 August 2022
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OPEC forecasts lower oil demand growth in 2022

RIYADH: The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries has trimmed its forecast of oil demand growth in 2022 for the third time since April. 

In its “Monthly Oil Market Report,” OPEC noted that the cut in growth forecast is attributed to the economic impact due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, along with the effects of high inflation. 

The organization expects oil demand to rise by 3.1 million barrels per day, down 260,000 bpd from the previous forecast of 3.36 million.

OPEC added the demand growth for 2023 will slow further to 2.7 million bpd, leaving its forecast unchanged from last month.

The report further said the global oil market is strongly rebounding to pre-COVID-19 levels.

The monthly report revealed that OPEC output in July rose by 162,000 bpd to 28.84 million bpd.

While the 2023 outlook for overall non-OPEC supply was left steady, OPEC sees a slight acceleration in US shale growth.

Supply of US tight oil, another term for shale, is expected to rise by 800,000 bpd in 2023, up from 740,000 bpd in 2022, although this year’s forecast was revised down.

(With input from Reuters)


Closing Bell: Saudi main market closes the week in red at 10,526 

Updated 25 December 2025
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Closing Bell: Saudi main market closes the week in red at 10,526 

RIYADH: Saudi equities ended Thursday’s session modestly lower, with the Tadawul All Share Index slipping 14.63 points, or 0.14 percent, to close at 10,526.09.    

The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index also declined 3.66 points, or 0.26 percent, to 1,389.66. In contrast, the parallel market outperformed, as Nomu jumped 237.72 points, or 1.02 percent, to close at 23,430.93.  

Market breadth on the main market remained tilted to the downside, with 156 stocks ending lower against 99 gainers.    

Trading activity eased further, with volumes reaching 80.46 million shares and total traded value amounting to SR1.66 billion ($442 million).    

On the movers’ board, Saudi Industrial Export Co. led the gainers, rising 6.6 percent to SR2.10, followed by Consolidated Grunenfelder Saady Holding Co., which advanced 6.43 percent to SR9.60.    

Raoom Trading Co. climbed 4.36 percent to SR61.05, while Astra Industrial Group gained 4.35 percent to close at SR139. Riyadh Cables Group Co. added 3.77 percent to end the session at SR135.00.    

On the downside, Methanol Chemicals Co. topped the losers’ list, falling 5.96 percent to SR7.41.  

Flynas Co. retreated 5.43 percent to SR61.00, while Leejam Sports Co. dropped 5 percent to close at SR100.80.    

Alramz Real Estate Co. slipped 4.64 percent to SR55.50, and Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. declined 4.55 percent to SR84.00.  

On the announcement front, ACWA Power said it has completed the financial close for the Ras Mohaisen First Water Desalination Co., a reverse osmosis desalination project with a capacity of up to 300,000 cubic meters per day, alongside associated potable water storage facilities totaling 600,000 cubic meters in Saudi Arabia’s Western Province.    

The project was financed through a consortium of local and international banks, with total funding of SR2.07 billion and a tenor of up to 29.5 years, while ACWA Power holds an effective 45 percent equity stake.  

Shares of ACWA Power ended the session at SR185.90, up SR0.2, or 0.11 percent.     

Meanwhile, Consolidated Grunenfelder Saady Holding Co. announced the sign-off of a customized solutions project with Saudi Aramco Nabors Drilling Co., valued at SR166.0 million excluding VAT.    

The 24-month contract covers the sale and maintenance of field camp facilities, with the financial impact expected to begin from the first quarter of 2026.