Saudi Arabia has been the driving force behind the Opec+ production cuts that have been in force since January 2017. The kingdom cut crude production by 390,000 b/d (3.8%) over 2017 and has kept output at this level for the first two months of 2018 (MEES, 9 March).
The output cuts resulted in crude exports for 2017 falling below 7mn b/d for the first time since 2010, and market share losses in key markets. However, the gambit secured one of Saudi Arabia’s key aims in boosting oil prices: Saudi’s benchmark Arab Light rising 28% in value to $52.59/B over the course of 2017. But how positive was it overall for government coffers? (CONTINUED - 1320 WORDS)
