Saudis May Boost Oil Supply Even Higher

Cable argues that kingdom can't pump enough crude to control prices

(NEWSER) - The world may be on the verge of an oil crisis, according to WikiLeaks cables released to the Guardian today. According to the cables, Sadad al-Husseini, the former head of Saudi Arabia’s state-run oil monopoly, warned diplomats that Saudi reserves were overstated by almost 40%, and that the country couldn’t reach the 12.5 million barrel-per-day production capacity needed to keep global oil prices in check. He predicted that the world would hit “peak oil” as early as 2012. More»

(NEWSER) - Big oil execs, analysts, and government sources say a century-old American tradition is waning: after years of increasing oil consumption, US guzzling has peaked, they believe. Last year, demand plunged 7.1% for gas, diesel, and jet fuel—the biggest drop since 1950, when dependable records began. And major changes for the oil industry mean big changes for government budgets and consumers alike, the Wall Street Journal reports. More»

Crude reaches nearly $37 after UAE's cuts

(NEWSER) - Oil prices rose today—after dropping more than 30% this month alone—as the United Arab Emirates joined Saudi Arabia in curbing crude supplies, reports Reuters. Crude oil rose as much as $1.55 a barrel, or 4.4%, to $36.90 in New York this morning. The UAE cut was larger than expected and comes after oil tumbled further on Christmas Eve on grim American economic figures. Last week, OPEC ordered its biggest-ever cut in production. More»

Saudis lead push for record cut to pump prices to $75 a barrel

(NEWSER) - OPEC ministers are expected to back the biggest reduction in oil production in the history of the cartel when they meet today, Reuters reports. The exporters widely support a cut of 2 million barrels a day. Oil prices neared $43 per barrel yesterday, down over $100 from July. Officals from Saudi Arabia, which heads the cartel, are seeking action expected to boost prices to $75 a barrel. More»

Price will rebound with economy, likely to hit $200 a barrel in 2030

(NEWSER) - If today’s price of $60 per barrel of oil seems too good to be true, that’s because it is. Oil prices will rebound to $100 a barrel once the economy recovers, and climb toward $200 by 2030, the market’s most comprehensive review predicts. Output is declining at a steep natural rate of 9% while demand grows nearly unabated, the Financial Times explains. More»