In a stunning turn of events, the world watched with bated breath as oil prices surged to their highest point in over a year. The focus keyword here is “Oil,” and this unprecedented surge has sent shockwaves through global markets.

Markets React to Extended Production Cuts (H2)

Last week, concerns over tight crude supplies took center stage following the joint announcement by Saudi Arabia and Russia to extend their production cuts. These production cuts have had a profound impact on the oil industry, causing prices for both Brent crude and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) to reach levels not seen since November 2022.

Brent crude futures witnessed an impressive 0.8% surge, closing the week at an astonishing $90.65. Meanwhile, WTI displayed its resilience with a 0.7% increase, settling at $87.51, following a previous surge earlier in the week. This comes on the heels of substantial gains in the prior week, with Brent rising by 5% and WTI by approximately 7%. Notably, the year 2023 has seen both benchmarks climb by more than 13%, a remarkable feat.

Saudi Arabia and Russia’s Pledge (H2)

The driving force behind this market turbulence is the collaborative effort of Saudi Arabia and Russia. On Tuesday, these two oil giants revealed their commitment to further reduce oil production by an additional one million barrels per day, extending these cuts through the end of 2023. Saudi Arabia, as confirmed by the state-owned Saudi Press Agency, will curtail its daily crude output to roughly nine million barrels, with production levels subject to monthly reviews. This decision marks the third extension of production cuts, with Riyadh having initiated this reduction in July.

Saudi Arabia and Russia’s actions have not gone unnoticed, as they have aligned themselves with the OPEC+ group, comprising various oil-producing nations with an aggregate output cut of approximately 3.66 million barrels per day. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen voiced her concerns about the previous OPEC+ production cut, labeling it “regrettable” and claiming it hindered global economic growth.

Global Ramifications (H2)

While these developments may be significant on the world stage, they hit home for American consumers who are grappling with soaring gas prices. The U.S. national average gas price has climbed to a staggering $3.82 per gallon as of Sunday, according to AAA. While this is historically high for this time of year, it still falls short of the record high of $5.01 recorded in June 2022. The White House has previously criticized Saudi Arabia’s production cuts, with President Joe Biden warning of “consequences” for the nation’s cooperation with Russia in the oil sector.

Biden Administration’s Bold Move (H2)

In a related development, the Biden administration made a bold move last week by canceling several oil and gas leases issued to an Alaskan state economic development agency in 2021. The U.S. Department of the Interior rescinded seven 10-year leases, encompassing a vast 365,775 acres in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). These leases were held by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority. This decision, seen by some as a response to the ongoing oil production dynamics, is undoubtedly stirring the pot in the energy sector.

In conclusion, the world of oil production is experiencing seismic shifts as Saudi Arabia and Russia tighten their grip on production cuts. These actions have led to skyrocketing oil prices and are felt acutely by American consumers facing the pinch at the pump. Meanwhile, the Biden administration’s move to cancel Alaskan oil and gas leases adds another layer of complexity to the ever-evolving energy landscape. The implications of these decisions are far-reaching, and their repercussions will continue to reverberate across global markets.

Download our app MadbuMax on the Apple App Store for the latest news and financial tools. Interested in getting your finances in order do not forget to check Dr. Paul Etienne’s best-seller book on personal finance. To access more resources, tools, and services please click here. Also, do not forget to follow Dr. Etienne on IG or Twitter.