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After decades of sanctions and strife, Iraq’s return to OPEC influence could shift landscape
By Associated Press, Published: June 15, 2012
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s rapidly expanding oil production is likely to complicate OPEC’s efforts to influence world prices as the country re-emerges as a major player after 20 years on the sidelines due to sanctions and strife.
For now, Iraq is backing Iran’s push for OPEC to set lower production limits and keep prices high, but Baghdad’s own ambitious plans for expansion could cause an overall production growth that might drive down prices.
Analysts say Iraq’s new clout is shifting the power balance in the 12-member Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and could force it to overhaul its intricate production quota system to accommodate Baghdad’s greater output.
Iraq recently reached production of 3 million barrels per day, a level not seen since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that ousted dictator Saddam Hussein. It is on track to become OPEC’s second-largest producer in the coming year, surpassing Iran and trailing only Saudi Arabia.
“Iraq, for all intents and purposes, could double its production in next five years, could go from 3 million barrels a day to 6 million barrels a day,” said energy analyst Fadel Gheit, managing director of consultancy Oppenheimer & Co. in New York. “No other OPEC country has the ability and capacity to do that.”
Oil prices are determined by many factors, but chief among them is supply and demand. For decades, OPEC has tried to control oil prices by limiting production. Additional production from Iraq, unless offset by reductions from other cartel members, could drive oil prices down.
But OPEC politics are not that straightforward.
At Thursday’s OPEC meeting in Vienna, Iraq used its new found influence to side with its political ally, Iran, against Saudi Arabia, which has been increasing output. Iran, hard hit by economic sanctions over its suspect nuclear program, wants members to cut back production to hike prices. OPEC compromised Thursday, deciding to keep its overall production target at the same level.
Sharply lower crude oil prices in recent months are spurring calls for production cutbacks within OPEC. The U.S. benchmark sold Friday at just below $85 a barrel, plunging from $110 in February. OPEC Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Badry said Friday that the price could go back to $110 without harming the global economy.
Iraq also emphasized its comeback within OPEC by pushing its own candidate for secretary-general. Thamer al-Ghadhban, 67, led Iraq’s oil ministry during part of the U.S. occupation and is considered a well-qualified candidate, though politics are likely to tip the balance toward an Ecuadorian nominee when it decides in December.
“It reflects the fact that Iraq is saying ‘Look guys, it’s changed. We’re not the permanent problem child of OPEC anymore,’” said Samuel Ciszuk, an analyst with KBC Energy Economics in London.
The last time Iraq had this much voice in OPEC, Saddam Hussein was still in power and the country had just fought the 1980-88 war against Iran that killed as many as a million people on both sides. Iran and Iraq were rivals in OPEC then, bickering over who should give up more in the production quotas.
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By Associated Press, Published: June 15, 2012
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s rapidly expanding oil production is likely to complicate OPEC’s efforts to influence world prices as the country re-emerges as a major player after 20 years on the sidelines due to sanctions and strife.
For now, Iraq is backing Iran’s push for OPEC to set lower production limits and keep prices high, but Baghdad’s own ambitious plans for expansion could cause an overall production growth that might drive down prices.
Analysts say Iraq’s new clout is shifting the power balance in the 12-member Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and could force it to overhaul its intricate production quota system to accommodate Baghdad’s greater output.
Iraq recently reached production of 3 million barrels per day, a level not seen since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that ousted dictator Saddam Hussein. It is on track to become OPEC’s second-largest producer in the coming year, surpassing Iran and trailing only Saudi Arabia.
“Iraq, for all intents and purposes, could double its production in next five years, could go from 3 million barrels a day to 6 million barrels a day,” said energy analyst Fadel Gheit, managing director of consultancy Oppenheimer & Co. in New York. “No other OPEC country has the ability and capacity to do that.”
Oil prices are determined by many factors, but chief among them is supply and demand. For decades, OPEC has tried to control oil prices by limiting production. Additional production from Iraq, unless offset by reductions from other cartel members, could drive oil prices down.
But OPEC politics are not that straightforward.
At Thursday’s OPEC meeting in Vienna, Iraq used its new found influence to side with its political ally, Iran, against Saudi Arabia, which has been increasing output. Iran, hard hit by economic sanctions over its suspect nuclear program, wants members to cut back production to hike prices. OPEC compromised Thursday, deciding to keep its overall production target at the same level.
Sharply lower crude oil prices in recent months are spurring calls for production cutbacks within OPEC. The U.S. benchmark sold Friday at just below $85 a barrel, plunging from $110 in February. OPEC Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Badry said Friday that the price could go back to $110 without harming the global economy.
Iraq also emphasized its comeback within OPEC by pushing its own candidate for secretary-general. Thamer al-Ghadhban, 67, led Iraq’s oil ministry during part of the U.S. occupation and is considered a well-qualified candidate, though politics are likely to tip the balance toward an Ecuadorian nominee when it decides in December.
“It reflects the fact that Iraq is saying ‘Look guys, it’s changed. We’re not the permanent problem child of OPEC anymore,’” said Samuel Ciszuk, an analyst with KBC Energy Economics in London.
The last time Iraq had this much voice in OPEC, Saddam Hussein was still in power and the country had just fought the 1980-88 war against Iran that killed as many as a million people on both sides. Iran and Iraq were rivals in OPEC then, bickering over who should give up more in the production quotas.
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