Doha delusions
Unless the freeze becomes cuts its significance is minimal and efforts to keep talking up the market could backfire
Nothing gets the oil press’s pulses racing like signs of Saudi supply constraint – more so if it comes with whiffs of wider machination. Moscow and Riyadh doing a deal over Syria to lift oil prices? It doesn’t get juicier. As a way to explain Brent’s 28% rise from mid-February to $40/b on 23 March, the freeze agreed between the two countries in Doha on 16 February (and including Qatar and Venezuela) looks plausible. The kingdom seems willing at last to broach supply-side management. Oil minister Ali al-Naimi says the freeze is “the beginning of a process”. On 17 April, several more producers will supposedly arrive in Doha to discuss a broader agreement. Under any scrutiny, though, the Doha d
Also in this section
6 February 2026
The long close relationship between key supplier Qatar and pivotal buyer Japan becomes even deeper following new landmark deal
6 February 2026
Partnerships across the LNG value chain have evolved over time, growing in both complexity and importance, according to panellists at LNG2026
6 February 2026
Nigeria's mega-refinery is still trying to solve many challenges, all while its owner talks up expansion
5 February 2026
While broadly supportive of EU efforts to tackle methane emissions, representatives of the gas industry warn it could deter supply contracting if timelines and compliance requirements are not made more pragmatic
