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Wed 21 Jan 2015 01:45 PM

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Oman is suffering from oil price crisis, admits minister

Oil minister sharply criticises OPEC's production policy; says output decision is 'bad for us'

Oman is suffering from oil price crisis, admits minister

Omani oil minister Mohammad bin Hamad al-Rumhy sharply criticised OPEC's production policy on Wednesday, saying it was creating volatility in the market without benefiting oil producers and that his country was suffering.

His comments, delivered at an energy industry conference in Kuwait that was also attended by the oil ministers of OPEC members Kuwait and Iraq, were Oman's first direct, public criticism of the group since oil prices plunged last year.

Oman is a small non-OPEC oil exporter which lacks the huge financial reserves that its Gulf neighbours can use to ride out low energy prices. Rumhy's comments indicated growing concern about the economic damage whichOman could face from cheap oil.

Iran and Venezuela have already complained bitterly about OPEC policy but Oman, a diplomatic ally of key OPEC states such as Saudi Arabia, had previously held back.

In November, OPEC decided to keep its output unchanged despite sliding prices. Saudi Arabia and its Gulf OPECallies led the decision, saying the group needed to protect its market share against higher-cost suppliers outside OPEC, such as U.S. shale oil producers.

"I fail to understand how market share can be more important than revenue," Rumhy told the conference.

He said OPEC was enjoying daily revenues of $2.7-2.8 billion when it "declared war" and said it was going to fight for market share. Now daily revenue is roughly $1.5 billion, "and apparently 1.5 is better than 2.7 or 2.8", he said.

"This is politics that I don't understand - this is your politics that I don't understand. We are failing to understand. Business? This is not business."

Rumhy warned that OPEC's policy might temporarily force high-cost producers out of the market but they would eventually come back, making OPEC's policy useless.

"So what we have achieved? We have created volatility, we have achieved volatility ... How can you plan your business with a volatile commodity."

The Kuwaiti and Iraqi oil ministers at the conference did not reply to Rumhy's criticism or show any reaction to it.

Because of the oil price slide, Oman earlier this month announced a 2015 state budget that swung deep into deficit; it projected a shortfall of 2.5 billion rials ($6.5 billion).

"The current situation is bad for us in Oman. This is a really difficult time. This is bad politics," Rumhy said.

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SAM 5 years ago

So what does he exactly suggest? Does he want UAE and KSA to reduce production but Russia, Iran and Oman to increase theirs? Unless there is a universal agreement, which is impossible, prices will reflect the existing supply and demand. The weakest supplier will disappear and the strong ones will prevail. A lot like life. Why complain if you can not articulate a viable alternative.

Buddy 5 years ago

Oman should have done much more to reduce dependency on oil. That country has many opportunities, but it moves far to slow forward.
OPEC's production policy is the best option to go forward, like Sam posted.