Key Topics of International Petroleum Week: Saudi Gas, OPEC Deal, Shale Oil

The logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is pictured at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria September 21, 2017. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
The logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is pictured at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria September 21, 2017. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
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Key Topics of International Petroleum Week: Saudi Gas, OPEC Deal, Shale Oil

The logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is pictured at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria September 21, 2017. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
The logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is pictured at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria September 21, 2017. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

International Petroleum (IP) Week kicked off on Monday in London- an event where giant oil companies meet with traders and analysts.

There were three key points that were discussed on a wide-scope among a great number of analysts and traders, which are the Saudi plans to import liquefied natural gas, the future of OPEC agreement with exterior producers and the shale oil and its solidity and continuity, especially that it is expected to increase remarkably this year.

Several topics were discussed this year, mainly prices and trends of oil. Natural gas was also among the significant topics tackled, especially that the US has become a primary exporter of natural gas.

Everyone showed optimism towards the oil market and the future of prices. The majority of Platts London Oil & Energy Forum attendants expressed optimism that the oil prices will remain between $65 and $70 in the first quarter of next year, while more than half of the attendants expected the OPEC deal to extend after 2018.

Chris Midgley, head of the Analytics Content Division at S&P Global Platts, said that the demand on natural gas will come from three new markets in the coming years: China, India and Saudi Arabia.

On Tuesday, activities of the International Petroleum (IP) Week kicked off at InterContinental London Park Lane. UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al-Mazrouei took part in the event, and during a news conference on Tuesday he said that the deal to cut oil output contributed to reducing oil surplus in the market, but the mission isn’t completed yet.

Oil stocks in developed OECD economies, which were 340 million barrels above the five-year average in January 2017, were just 74 million barrels above that level last month, Ayed Al Qahtani, OPEC’s head of research, told a conference.



IMF Grants Egypt Initial Approval of $1.2 Bln Fourth Review

Santa Claus toys are displayed in a shop with Christmas decorations in Cairo, Egypt, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)
Santa Claus toys are displayed in a shop with Christmas decorations in Cairo, Egypt, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)
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IMF Grants Egypt Initial Approval of $1.2 Bln Fourth Review

Santa Claus toys are displayed in a shop with Christmas decorations in Cairo, Egypt, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)
Santa Claus toys are displayed in a shop with Christmas decorations in Cairo, Egypt, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)

The International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday it reached a staff-level agreement with Egypt on the fourth review under its Extended Fund Facility arrangement, potentially unlocking a $1.2 billion disbursement under the program.

Egypt, grappling with high inflation and shortages of foreign currency, agreed to the $8 billion, 46-month facility in March. A sharp decline in Suez Canal revenue caused by regional tensions over the last year compounded its economic woes.

The IMF said Egypt's government had agreed to increase its tax-to-revenue ratio by 2% of gross domestic product over the next two years, with a focus on eliminating exemptions rather than increasing taxes.

This would give it space to increase social spending to help vulnerable groups, the IMF said in a statement.

"While the authorities' plans to streamline and simplify the tax system are commendable, further reforms will be needed to enhance domestic revenue mobilization efforts," the statement said.

Egypt had agreed to make more decisive efforts to ensure the private sector became the main engine of growth and to sustain its commitment to a flexible exchange rate, the IMF statement added.

The staff-level agreement of the fourth review must still be approved by the IMF's executive board.