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S. Arabia Flexible on Russian Idea to Extend Crude Cuts

S. Arabia Flexible on Russian Idea to Extend Crude Cuts
S. Arabia Flexible on Russian Idea to Extend Crude Cuts

Saudi Arabia made no firm pledge on Thursday to extend a deal agreed by OPEC, Russia and other producers on cutting supplies but said it was “flexible” regarding Moscow’s suggestion to prolong the pact until the end of 2018.

Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih was speaking in a television interview a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin said the supply reduction deal that is due to expire in March could run to the end of next year, Reuters reported.

“In the kingdom, we have to keep all options open. President Putin agreed with us on this and expressed his readiness to extend until the end of 2018 if this is agreed and if this is the best option,” Falih told Al Arabiya television.

He welcomed the flexibility shown by Russia on the issue and said the Saudi government aimed to “be flexible in leading the producing countries in and outside of OPEC to a consensus that takes the market to where we want it to be.”

Saudi Arabia and Russia helped secure a deal between the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and 10 rival suppliers to cut output until the end of March 2018 in an effort to reduce a glut.

Oil prices rose above $56 a barrel on Thursday, supported by expectations of an extension to the supply cut pact. But prices are still half their mid-2014 levels.

Climbing US shale production has kept a lid on price gains, but Falih said inventories were still falling.

“Shale coming in and happening again in 2018 does not bother me at all. The market can absorb it,” Falih said, speaking alongside Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak on a panel at an energy forum in Moscow.

“We have seen a steady reduction in inventories. We see as we enter the fourth quarter that supply is less than demand and inventories are declining around the world,” Falih said.

Novak said he was satisfied with oil prices and Moscow would welcome other producers joining the deal to curb output.

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