OPEC+ Delays Oil Output Hke Until April, Extends Cuts Till 2026

The alliance agreed to extend the 2 million barrels per day and the 1.65 million barrels per day of cuts until the end of 2026 from the end of 2025, respectively, according to statements issued by the group on Thursday.

The gradual unwinding of 2.2 million barrels per day of cuts will start from April 2025 with monthly increases of 138,000 barrels per day and will last 18 months until September 2026.

The group had previously planned to unwind the 2.2 million cut over 12 months through monthly output increases of 180,000 barrels per day.

Under its formal output strategy, the broader OPEC+ coalition is now restricting its combined production to 39.725 million barrels per day until December 31, 2026, after previously only applying this quota throughout 2025.

Eight OPEC+ members, excluding Nigeria, will now extend their 2.2 million barrels per day voluntary production decline into the first quarter, and will begin hiking production incrementally between April and September 2026.

Several OPEC+ members will also be postponing the unwinding of the second 1.65 million barrels per day cut until the end of next year. This latter production decline was previously only set to last through 2025.

Despite these sets of production trims and ongoing conflict threatening the hydrocarbon-rich Middle Eastern region, global oil prices have remained subdued for the better part of this year, under pressure from a lukewarm demand outlook.

Market analysts also warned that the oil market will now shift focus to the actions of US President-elect Donald Trump, who when he takes office in January, could impose new sanctions on Iran, tariffs on China and has pledged an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.