Monday, September 19, 2016

Venezuela Says OPEC, Non-OPEC Oil Stabilizing Deal Close

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (C) attends the 17th Non-Aligned Summit in Porlamar, Venezuela September 17, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Marco Bello
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Sunday that OPEC and non-OPEC countries were close to reaching a deal to stabilize oil markets and that he aimed for a deal to be announced this month.
Reuters report continues:
OPEC members may call an extraordinary meeting to discuss oil prices if they reach consensus at an informal gathering in Algiers this month, OPEC Secretary-General Mohammed Barkindo said during a visit to Algeria, the country's state news agency, APS, reported on Sunday.
Maduro, an oil price hawk who was speaking at the end of a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement on Margarita Island, Venezuela, where diplomats also met to discuss the oil market, said a deal was imminent.
"We had a long bilateral meeting with Rouhani. We're close to a deal between OPEC producer countries and non-OPEC," Maduro told a news conference.
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (centre R), Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (centre L) and other presidents, leaders and head of delegations pose for a family photo during the 17th Non-Aligned Summit in Porlamar, Venezuela September 17, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Marco Bello
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who attended the summit, said Tehran supported any move to stabilize the global oil market and lift prices, according to the Iranian Oil Ministry news agency, SHANA.
Venezuela has been seeking an oil deal for years as its state-led economy reels under low oil prices, and has often said it was close to reaching an agreement.
OPEC members will meet on the sidelines of the International Energy Forum, which groups producers and consumers, in Algeria from Sept. 26 to 28. Non-OPEC producer Russia is also attending the forum.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will probably revive talks on freezing oil production levels when it meets non-OPEC nations in Algeria, sources have told Reuters.

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