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Opinion: How Much Longer Can OPEC Hold Out?

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Simply put, the world has too much oil at the moment which has resulted in the reduction of price levels from approximately $100 to $50 a barrel, and OPEC (as well as US shale producers) has a major role to play in this supply glut. It also has the fifth largest proven crude oil reserves in the world.

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Opinion: OPEC Divorce And Self-Destruction Thanks To Saudi Oil Strategy?

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Together, the three quotes provide a framework for analyzing Saudi options heading into the December 4 OPEC meeting in Vienna and its choices vis-à-vis the OPEC outsiders (all members but Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar): reconciliation, separation, or divorce. If You’re a Free Range Oil Producer.

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BP Statistical Review finds global oil share down for 12th year in a row, coal share up to highest level since 1969; renewables at 2%

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The “Arab Spring” affected oil and gas supplies—most notably the complete, albeit temporary, loss of Libyan supply—while the tragic Fukushima accident in Japan had knock-on effects for nuclear and other energy sources around the world. Prices increased in all regions. more as natural gas was diverted to Asia.

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Opinion: Saudis Could Face An Open Revolt At Next OPEC Meeting

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OPEC next gathers December 4 in Vienna, just over a year since Saudi Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi announced at the previous OPEC winter meeting the Saudi decision to let the oil market determine oil prices rather than to continue Saudi Arabia's role of guarantor of $100+/bbl oil.

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Opinion: Is Russia Plotting To Bring Down OPEC?

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Even a casual glance at the IMF’s World Economic Outlook statistics for Russia shows the tight correlation since 1992 between GDP growth on the one hand and oil and gas output, exports, and prices on the other (economic series available here ). percent of GDP in 2014. Natural gas data from Gazprom). billion respectively).

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IRENA report finds renewable power costs at parity or below fossil fuels in many parts of world

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The report, “ Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2014 ”, concludes that biomass, hydropower, geothermal and onshore wind are all competitive with or cheaper than coal, oil and gas-fired power stations, even without financial support and despite falling oil prices. Source: IRENA. Click to enlarge. kWh in Africa.

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Opinion: Saudi Oil Strategy: Brilliant Or Suicide?

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In the last quarter of 2014, in the face of possible oversupply, Saudi Arabia abandoned its traditional role as the global oil market’s swing producer and therefore it role as unofficial guarantor of existing ($100+ per barrel) prices. Prices rebounded to $60 for a few months, before falling once again below $50.