Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Tuesday there is currently a balance on the global oil market, while demand will be gradually rising in March and April.
Novak’s comments came when asked about the OPEC+ group’s plans for its production policy.
OPEC expects oil demand to rise by 1.34 million barrels per day in 2027, close to the 1.38 million bpd growth expected this year, it said in a monthly report on its website.
The outlook is OPEC's first 2027 projection in its monthly report.
The report forecast demand for OPEC+ crude will average 43 million bpd in 2026, unchanged from last month and close to what OPEC+ produced in December. The organization projected that demand for OPEC+ crude will average 43.6 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2027.
The main growth drivers are expected to be the US, Brazil, Canada, and Argentina.
Novak did not indicate possible decisions for the months following April.
“As shipping and travel intensify, demand will gradually increase starting in March and April. This will be an additional factor to ensure balance,” he noted.
Eight OPEC+ countries on Sunday agreed to maintain a planned pause in their oil output hikes for March.
The eight countries—Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman—reaffirmed their commitment to oil market stability, based on a stable global economic outlook and healthy market fundamentals reflected in declining inventory levels.
The OPEC+ countries reiterated that the 1.65 million barrels per day (bpd) reduction may be returned in part or in full subject to evolving market conditions and in a gradual manner. The countries will continue to closely monitor and assess market conditions.
Those countries raised output quotas by about 2.9 million barrels per day (bpd) from April through the end of December 2025, equivalent to nearly 3% of global demand.
India and Russian Oil
Separately, the Kremlin said on Tuesday it had heard no statements from India about halting purchases of Russian oil after US President Donald Trump said New Delhi had agreed to stop such purchases as part of a trade accord with Washington.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was carefully analyzing Trump's remarks on relations with India.
Asked directly if India had decided to stop buying Russian oil, Peskov said: “So far, we have not heard any statements from Delhi on this issue.”
US President Donald Trump announced a trade deal on Monday with India that slashes US tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50% in exchange for India halting Russian oil purchases and lowering trade barriers.
Trump announced the deal on social media following a call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that India would now buy oil from the US and potentially Venezuela.