Opec starts to ease cuts
The group is seeking to return compliance to 100%, implying a sharp immediate rise in output. But the details are vague
Opec's members are to start raising oil output again, officially aiming to achieve 100% compliance with its cuts and, in doing so, imply the addition of up to 700,000 barrels a day of supply to the market. It marks the beginning of the end of Opec's cuts strategy that began in January 2017, eliminating a global stock excess than lifted prices by about 50%. But the decision left many questions unanswered—confusion that was reflected in a 2% rise in Brent prices, to almost $75 a barrel, on news that had been intended to ease them. The market was expecting more detail. Earlier reports had suggested Opec would agree to increase supply by up to 1m barrels a day. Tehran objected, believing this wa
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






