It is highly unlikely that OPEC and other oil producers would set up a joint structure due to the additional red tape it would create as well as the risk of U.S. monopoly-related sanctions, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Dec. 27.
OPEC and other top oil producers led by Russia have since the end of 2016 made an unprecedented joint effort to curb output and support prices.
OPEC and Russia jointly produce more than 40% of the world's oil.
RELATED: Analysts: OPEC Decision Good For Global Market, US Shale Producers
Russia's energy ministry had said that Moscow and OPEC lynchpin Saudi Arabia had reached a general agreement that the OPEC+ format should be "institutionalized" and extended until 2019 and beyond to monitor the market and take joint action if needed.
However, Novak said such an idea has been ditched.
"There is a consensus that there will be no such organization. That's because it requires additional bureaucratic brouhaha in relation to financing, cartel, with the U.S. side," Novak told a briefing to reporters.
"I think, non-OPEC [countries] will not agree as they don't want to be hit by sanctions," he continued.
Proposed U.S. legislation known as "NOPEC" could open OPEC up to anti-trust lawsuits but has long laid dormant, with previous U.S. presidents signaling that they would veto any move to make it law.
However, U.S. President Donald Trump has been a vocal critic of OPEC, blaming it for high oil prices and urging it to increase output.
"This won't be an organization, this is some mechanism of cooperation: to convene, to discuss, adopt some memorandums, joint resolutions," Novak said about future cooperation with OPEC.
Recommended Reading
E&P Highlights: April 8, 2024
2024-04-08 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, including new contract awards and a product launch.
Aker BP’s Hanz Subsea Tieback Goes Onstream
2024-04-22 - AKER BP’s project marks the first time subsea production systems have been reused on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
OKEA Fast-tracking North Sea’s Brasse Tieback to Brage
2024-04-08 - OKEA expects first production in 2027 and has signed contracts with Aker Solutions, Subsea7 and OneSubsea.
NOD Approves Start-up for Aker BP’s Hanz Project
2024-02-27 - Aker BP expects production on the North Sea subsea tieback to begin production during the first quarter.
SLB, OneSubsea, Subsea 7 Sign Collaboration Deal with Equinor
2024-05-02 - Work is expected to begin immediately on Equinor’s Wisting and Bay Du Nord projects.