By Eyo Nsima The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, and its allies, have increased Nigeria’s oil quota to 1.830 million barrels per day, mb/d in September 2022 from 1.826 mb/d in August 2022.

This was one of the decisions decision at the 31st OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting, held via videoconference, yesterday.

A look at the September 2022 Required Production by The Daily, www.thedaily-ng.com, indicated that Nigeria’s 1.830 mb/d quota was the highest in Africa.

However, the prices of many crudes, including Bonny Light, rose to over $100 per barrel in the market.

In a statement, obtained by The Daily, www.thedaily-ng.com, OPEC, stated: “The Meeting noted the dynamic and rapidly evolving oil market fundamentals, necessitating continuous assessment of market conditions.

“The Meeting noted that the severely limited availability of excess capacity necessitates utilizing it with great caution in response to severe supply disruptions. The Meeting noted that chronic underinvestment in the oil sector has reduced excess capacities along the value chain.

“The Meeting highlighted with particular concern that insufficient investment into the upstream sector will impact the availability of adequate supply in a timely manner to meet growing demand beyond 2023 from non-participating non-OPEC oil-producing countries, some OPEC Member Countries and participating non-OPEC oil-producing countries.

“It noted that preliminary data for OECD commercial oil stocks level stood at 2,712 mb in June 2022, which was 163 mb lower than the same time last year, and 236 mb below the 2015-2019 average, and that emergency oil stocks have reached their lowest levels in more than 30 years. The Meeting also noted that Declaration of Cooperation conformity has averaged 130 per cent since May 2020, supported by voluntary contributions of some participating countries.

“Emphasizing the value and importance of maintaining consensus as essential to the cohesion of OPEC and participating non-OPEC oil-producing countries, and in view of the latest oil market fundamentals, the Participating Countries decided to reaffirm the decision of the 10th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting on 12 April 2020 and further endorsed in subsequent meetings including the 19th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting on the 18 July 2021.

“Adjust upward the production level for OPEC and non-OPEC Participating Countries by 0.1 mb/d for the month of September 2022 as per the attached table. This adjustment does not affect the baselines decided on the above-mentioned Meeting on 18 July 2021. Reiterate the critical importance of adhering to full conformity and to the compensation mechanism. Compensation plans should be submitted in accordance with the statement of the 15th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting.”

In any case, OPEC and allies, while paying tribute to the late OPEC Secretary General Barkindo and welcoming of the new OPEC Secretary General Al Ghais, stated: “Heads of Delegation recalled the key role HE Barkindo played in the global energy scene and in promoting the DoC, as a leading figure representing OPEC who skilfully built bridges with key energy stakeholders, including producers and consumers, globally. Heads of Delegation expressed words of condolences to OPEC Member Country Nigeria, the OPEC Secretariat and the family of HE Barkindo. At the same time, Heads of Delegation congratulated the new OPEC Secretary General, HE Haitham Al Ghais of the State of Kuwait, on his appointment by acclamation.”