Russia and Saudi Arabia said they expect OPEC and non-OPEC producers to reach an agreement Saturday to curtail oil output and prop up prices in the first such joint move since 2001.
“We have a deal already. We are just putting the final touches. Everything is good!” Khalid al-Falih, energy minister of OPEC’s de facto leader and top oil exporter Saudi Arabia, told reporters.
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak, speaking as he joined a breakfast with OPEC and non-OPEC ministers in Vienna, said: “I don’t see such risks (of a deal failing).”
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will meet producers from outside the group later in the day, hoping non-OPEC countries will commit to cutting 600,000 barrels per day after its own members agreed a reduction of 1.2 million barrels per day last week.
OPEC Secretary-General Mohammed Barkindo said he expected 12 non-OPEC countries to sign a declaration with the organization and fully contribute to cuts of 600,000 barrels per day or more.
OPEC sources said non-OPEC Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Oman, Mexico, Russia, Sudan, South Sudan, Bahrain and Malaysia would attend the meeting. Bolivia may also attend, and Barkindo said Brunei had sent its commitments but would not be present.
Many non-OPEC countries such as Mexico and Azerbaijan face a natural drop in oil production, and several OPEC ministers said the discussions would focus on whether those declines should be counted as contributions.
On Friday, Saudi Arabia told its U.S. and European customers it would reduce oil deliveries from January, signaling it had started implementing cuts. OPEC producers Iraq and Kuwait have also told buyers of their crude about planned reductions.
