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| Opec agrees record oil output cut | Opec agrees record oil output cut |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The oil producers' cartel Opec has agreed to make a record cut in output, slashing 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) from its current supply. | The oil producers' cartel Opec has agreed to make a record cut in output, slashing 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) from its current supply. |
| Opec has made two other cuts since September, meaning it has cut a total of 4.2 million bpd in four months. | Opec has made two other cuts since September, meaning it has cut a total of 4.2 million bpd in four months. |
| In a news conference, Opec said that it hoped the record cut would boost prices but that it had no formal price target. | In a news conference, Opec said that it hoped the record cut would boost prices but that it had no formal price target. |
| The cut means that the target for production for the 12 member states is now 24.845 million bpd. | The cut means that the target for production for the 12 member states is now 24.845 million bpd. |
| Demand risks | Demand risks |
| The big question with Opec production cuts is always whether the member states will actually make the cuts they have agreed to. | The big question with Opec production cuts is always whether the member states will actually make the cuts they have agreed to. |
| "Given the still-substantial risks to demand and ongoing scepticism on Opec compliance, it could take some time before prices recover materially above $50 to $55 per barrel," said Gordon Gray from Collins Stewart. | "Given the still-substantial risks to demand and ongoing scepticism on Opec compliance, it could take some time before prices recover materially above $50 to $55 per barrel," said Gordon Gray from Collins Stewart. |
| There was little immediate reaction in the oil price, with US light, sweet crude for January delivery trading at just over $43 a barrel. | There was little immediate reaction in the oil price, with US light, sweet crude for January delivery trading at just over $43 a barrel. |
| There was some doubt among analysts about whether the cut would be enough to push prices higher, even if members did comply with it. | |
| 'Bigger problems' | |
| "Historically Opec has had to remove around five million barrels from the market in previous slumps, and they're facing bigger problems now than they have done before," said Michael Lewis, head of commodity research at Deutsche Bank. | |
| Oil prices have fallen by more than $100 a barrel from the peak above $147 that they reached in July. | |
| Prices have been falling amid concern about how much less oil will be used by countries experiencing recessions. | |
| Falling consumption means that industrialised nations currently have stockpiles of oil equivalent to 57 days of consumption - supplies that would typically be about 52 days at this time of year. |