OPEC+ Doing ‘Noble’ Job of Balancing Oil Market, Says UAE Energy Minister

United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei, speaks to reporters, on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit, in Dubai, UAE, February 12, 2024. (Reuters)
United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei, speaks to reporters, on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit, in Dubai, UAE, February 12, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

OPEC+ Doing ‘Noble’ Job of Balancing Oil Market, Says UAE Energy Minister

United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei, speaks to reporters, on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit, in Dubai, UAE, February 12, 2024. (Reuters)
United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei, speaks to reporters, on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit, in Dubai, UAE, February 12, 2024. (Reuters)

United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei said on Wednesday OPEC+ was doing a noble job of balancing the oil market even if does not produce the majority of oil in the world.

"OPEC+ has sacrificed more than others but the critical element is that it is staying together," Mazrouei said at an industry event in the emirate of Fujairah.

"I would like you to imagine the world without this group. We would be in chaos," Mazrouei said speaking hours before a planned virtual meeting of an OPEC+ committee.

Output from OPEC+, which groups the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies such as Russia, equates to 48% of world oil supply, according to Reuters calculations based on figures from the International Energy Agency.

Oil prices jumped by over a dollar on Wednesday due to rising concerns Middle East tensions could escalate. Brent crude stood at $74.56 a barrel at 0330 GMT.



Türkiye Receives Waiver for Gas Payments to Russia from Gazprombank Sanctions

A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
TT

Türkiye Receives Waiver for Gas Payments to Russia from Gazprombank Sanctions

A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo

Türkiye has received an exemption for gas payments to Russia after the United States imposed sanctions on Gazprombank, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar revealed in response to a question from Reuters.

The US imposed new sanctions on Russia's Gazprombank in November, creating an obstacle for buyers of Russian gas, which had been using the bank to make payments. They have since been seeking clarification and exploring other ways to pay.

Türkiye imports almost all its gas requirement and Russia is the top supplier, providing more than 50% of the country's pipeline imports.

Ankara's pipeline gas imports from Russia stood at 21.1 bcm last year.

Türkiye had requested an exemption in discussions with US officials so that it can continue paying for Russian natural gas imports via Gazprombank.

The US on Thursday also granted a waiver to Hungary, which mainly relies on Russian oil and gas.