Industryweek 4580 Opec
Industryweek 4580 Opec
Industryweek 4580 Opec
Industryweek 4580 Opec
Industryweek 4580 Opec

OPEC Keeps Oil Demand Forecast Steady

June 11, 2013
"General expectations for [Europe's] oil consumption during 2013 have once more weakened since last month's projections," OPEC said.

VIENNA—OPEC kept its world oil demand forecast for 2013 virtually unchanged in its latest update today, but tipped downward revisions given the deteriorating economic climate.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries said it expected world demand this year to reach 89.65 million barrels per day, a slight drop from the forecast of 89.66 million barrels per day in its previous monthly report.

This would represent a rise of 780,000 barrels per day from 2012 oil demand, said the cartel, which pumps about 35% of the world's crude.

Most of the increased demand is due to China and other countries not in the OECD club of advanced economies.

But OPEC warned that the current forecast is subject to downward revisions not only in the OECD but also in emerging economies.

The latest Chinese manufacturing and export data raised concerns about a slowdown in Chinese growth, while growth in advanced economies is also expected to be lower than initially expected.

European Slide Continues

The OPEC report noted that oil demand from Europe—many of whose nations are mired in debt crises—declined for the 20th straight month in April.

"General expectations for the region's oil consumption during 2013 have once more weakened since last month's projections," OPEC said.

Despite concerns about weakening global demand for oil, the cartel decided at its latest ministerial meeting at the end of last month to keep its output ceiling unchanged at 30 million barrels per day as the price per barrel of crude has hovered around $100.

However, OPEC warned that it stands ready to act to support the price of oil.

The report, citing non-OPEC sources, noted that international sanctions were having an impact on Iran's oil output, which fell to 2.64 million barrels per day in May, down from a level of 3.63 million barrels per day in 2011.

The International Energy Agency, the energy analysis arm of the 34-nation Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, releases its updated oil market forecasts on Wednesday.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2013

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