OPEC+ still showing restraint
Petroleum Economist analysis shows OPEC bringing back some barrels in May, but fewer than expected, while OPEC+ continues to see output fall
Despite expectations, OPEC+ has not significantly increased its oil production recently, with output remaining relatively stable. The group promised to start boosting production in April with an addition of 138,000b/d that month and 411,000b/d in May. In contrast, some OPEC+ members pledged to compensate for previous higher output by cutting production by 222,000b/d in April and 378,000b/d in May. According to Petroleum Economist, OPEC-9 increased output by 130,000b/d from the start of April until the end of May, while OPEC+ countries showed a drop of 110,000b/d. In fact, it looks like a zero-sum game, although OPEC+ should have reduced production by 51,000b/d, according to these plans. Thus
Also in this section
5 December 2025
Mistaken assumptions around an oil bull run that never happened are a warning over the talk of a supply glut
4 December 2025
Time is running out for Lukoil and Rosneft to divest international assets that will be mostly rendered useless to them when the US sanctions deadline arrives in mid-December
3 December 2025
Aramco’s pursuit of $30b in US gas partnerships marks a strategic pivot. The US gains capital and certainty; Saudi Arabia gains access, flexibility and a new export future
2 December 2025
The interplay between OPEC+, China and the US will define oil markets throughout 2026






