By Chibisi Ohakah, Abuja (with Agency report)
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has said that it maintains its forecast that world oil demand will grow by 5.7 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2021, and by 4.2 million bpd in 2022.
Saudi Arabia based news agency, Argaam, quoted the global cartel in a report saying it also expects oil demand to average 99.13 million bpd in the first quarter of 2022, up 1.11 million bpd from its forecast last month.
From a December monthly report, the agency said OPEC maintained its forecasts for the levels of global demand for oil in 2021 and 2022.
“Some of the recovery previously expected in the fourth quarter of 2021 has been shifted to the first quarter of 2022, followed by a steadier recovery throughout the second half of 2022,” OPEC said in the report.
“Moreover, the impact of the new Omicron variant is projected to be mild and short-lived, as the world becomes better equipped to manage COVID-19 and its related challenges,” it added.
In addition, OPEC maintained its expectations for the growth of oil supply from outside in 2021, saying that it may rise 0.7 million bpd to 63.7 million bpd.
It also reiterated estimates for next year, noting that supply may see a rise by 3 million bpd to 66.7 million bpd. The OPEC report reportedly lowered forecasts for global economic growth in 2021 from 5.6% to 5.5%, while keeping forecasts for 2022 unchanged at 4.2%.
The report also highlighted that OPEC output rose by 285,000 bpd in November to 27.71 million bpd.
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