In view of the current fundamentals and the consensus view on the outlook for the remainder of 2019, the Conference decided to extend the voluntary production adjustments agreed at the 175th Meeting of the OPEC Conference for an additional period of nine months from 01 July 2019 to 31 March 2020.

Once again, Iran has been exempted from the OPEC output cut deal, Zangeneh told the reporters.

OPEC and its allies led by Russia have been reducing oil output since 2017 to prevent prices from sliding amid soaring production from the United States, which has become the world’s top producer this year ahead of Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin struck a deal with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to extend the OPEC+ agreement at current production levels for the rest of this year and potentially into early 2020.

In April 2019, for the 24th consecutive month, dry natural gas production increased year to year for the month. The preliminary level for dry natural gas production in April 2019 was 2,708 billion cubic feet (Bcf), or 90.3 Bcf/d. This level was 9.8 Bcf/d (12.2%) higher than the April 2018 level of 80.4 Bcf/d.

Based on a study of 40 US shale oil companies, looking at cash flow from operating activities, only four companies reported a positive cash flow balance in the first quarter of 2019.

“Today, more than ever, international cooperation is important,” Novak said in a speech at an energy forum in the Russian city of St Petersburg.

U.S. crude oil production reached a new all-time high of 12.2 million barrels per day (mb/d) in May 2019

Saudi Arabia’s crude oil production approached a four-year low, averaging an estimated 9.9 million barrels per day (b/d). Production declined more than 1 million b/d since its estimated all-time high production levels in October and November 2018

Preliminary production figures for May 2019 show an average daily production of 1 599 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate, which is a decrease of 120 000 barrels per day compared to April.