Press Releases 2017
JMMC reports highest level of conformity
21 Dec 2017 | The Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) stated that, based on the Report of the Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Technical Committee (JTC) for the Month of November 2017, OPEC and participating Non-OPEC producing countries have shown highest level of conformity with their respective adjustments in production.
Second High-level Meeting of the OPEC-China Energy Dialogue
20 Dec 2017 | [Joint Conclusion] The Second High-level Meeting of the OPEC-China Energy Dialogue was held on 12 December 2017 in Beijing, PR China. The Meeting was co-chaired by HE Nur Bekri, Vice Chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and Administrator of the National Energy Administration, and the OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo.
OPEC Secretary General’s Mission to China concludes
13 Dec 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, completed a successful mission to China by participating at the International Energy Executive Forum 2018, held today in Beijing. The event rounded off an extremely fruitful week of engagements for OPEC officials, in which representatives from OPEC and China reaffirmed the critical importance of enhancing cooperation across a broad spectrum of issues.
OPEC 173rd Meeting concludes
01 Dec 2017 | The 173rd Meeting of the Conference of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was held in Vienna, Austria, on Thursday, 30 November 2017, under the Chairmanship of its President, HE Khalid A. Al-Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia, and Head of its Delegation.
Opening address to the 173rd Meeting of the OPEC Conference
30 Nov 2017 | by HE Khalid A. Al-Falih, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, and President of the OPEC Conference.
Declaration of Cooperation
30 Nov 2017 | The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Azerbaijan, Kingdom of Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Sultanate of Oman, the Russian Federation, Republic of Sudan, Republic of South Sudan.
OPEC's World Oil Outlook 2017 launched in Vienna
07 Nov 2017 | The 2017 OPEC World Oil Outlook (WOO) was launched today at the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna. First published in 2007, the WOO offers a thorough review and assessment of the medium- and long-term prospects to 2040 for the global oil industry, as well as analysis of various sensitivities that have the potential to impact the petroleum industry in the years ahead.
OPEC Secretary General extends congratulations on UN Day
24 Oct 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, has sent a letter to the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), HE António Guterres, in which he congratulated the UN family on UN day. The occasion has offered an opportunity to reflect on the success of OPEC’s cooperation with the UN in the past and look forward to future collaboration and partnership.
JMMC reports highest conformity level ever
21 Oct 2017 | The OPEC-Non-OPEC producing countries’ Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) stated that based on the report of its Joint Technical Committee (JTC) for the month of September 2017, OPEC and participating Non-OPEC producing countries have achieved a record high conformity level with the voluntary production adjustments, reaching 120%.
OPEC Secretary General meets with India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas in New Delhi
10 Oct 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, met with HE Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas of India, in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by a group of accompanying OPEC senior officials and the Chief Executives of the ‘Group-7 of Indian Refiners’.
OPEC's World Oil Outlook to be launched 7 November 2017
29 Sep 2017 | The 2017 OPEC World Oil Outlook (WOO) will be presented at a press conference to be held at the OPEC Secretariat on Tuesday, 7 November 2017 at 14:30 CET.
Historic OPEC Algiers Meeting: One Year Anniversary
28 Sep 2017 | Today (September 28, 2017) marks the first anniversary of the historic 170th (Extraordinary) Meeting of the OPEC Conference that took place in Algiers, Algeria. Here, the OPEC Conference opted for an OPEC-14 production adjustment ranging between 32.5 and 33 million barrels a day (mb/d), in order to accelerate and bring the market rebalancing forward.
JMMC reports highest ever conformity level
22 Sep 2017 | The Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) stated that based on the Report of the Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Technical Committee (JTC) for the month of August 2017, OPEC and participating Non-OPEC producing countries recorded the highest conformity ever with their voluntary adjustments in production, achieving a level of 116%.
OPEC Secretary General meets with new Venezuelan Oil Minister
15 Sep 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, met today with HE Eng. Eulogio Del Pino, Minister of the People’s Ministry of Petroleum of Venezuela at the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna, Austria.
OPEC turns 57 today
14 Sep 2017 | The Fourteenth of September is always a special day for OPEC. It is the day in 1960 when the five Founding Members of OPEC, Iraq, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela created OPEC at the historic ‘Baghdad Conference’. Today is the Organization’s 57th anniversary.
OPEC hosts farewell luncheon for the Russian Ambassador in Vienna, HE Vladimir Voronkov
06 Sep 2017 | The OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, with members of OPEC Secretariat management, today hosted HE Vladimir Voronkov, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the International Organizations in Vienna, to a farewell luncheon in Vienna.
OPEC’s ‘Special Day’ takes place at Expo2017 in Astana
05 Sep 2017 | The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) held its ‘Special Day’ at Expo2017 in Astana, Kazakhstan. The event represents the climax of 93 days of participation by OPEC at the Expo and reinforced the thriving relationship between the Republic of Kazakhstan and OPEC.
OPEC Secretary General extends condolences to US Secretary of Energy following Hurricane Harvey
05 Sep 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, sent a letter to the Secretary of Energy of the United States of America, Rick Perry, conveying his condolences for the tragic loss of life in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. The letter expressed OPEC’s solidarity with the people and Government of the US during these trying times, particularly those in the flood afflicted areas of Louisiana and Texas.
JMMC reports positive indications of oil market rebalancing in progress
24 Aug 2017 | The Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) reported that based on the Report of the Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Technical Committee (JTC) for the month of July, efforts by OPEC and participating Non-OPEC producing countries have continued to show positive results towards the goal of rebalancing the oil market.
OPEC Secretary General visits Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari
14 Aug 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, has visited Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in London at the residence of the Nigerian High Commissioner – Abuja House.
JTC holds Special Consultations in Abu Dhabi with Several Producing Countries
08 Aug 2017 | The Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Technical Committee (JTC) held an extraordinary session in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, with some of the producing countries participating in the Declaration of Cooperation. The objective of the meetings was to discuss conformity with the voluntary production adjustments outlined in the extension of the Declaration, which became effective on 1 July 2017.
OPEC Secretary General meets with the President and Oil Minister of Gabon
02 Aug 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, met with Gabon’s President, HE Ali Bongo Ondimba, and the country’s Minister of Petroleum and Hydrocarbons, HE Pascal Houangni Ambouroue and other Gabonese officials. Each meeting was also attended by a group of accompanying OPEC officials.
OPEC Secretary General meets with the President and Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea
29 Jul 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, met yesterday with the President of Equatorial Guinea, HE Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and the Prime Minister, HE Francisco Pascual Eyegue Obama Asue, in the city of Djibloho. The meetings were also attended by the country’s Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, HE Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, as well as other OPEC officials.
JMMC continues efforts to effectively monitor the implementation of the Declaration of Cooperation
29 Jul 2017 | Following the 4th Meeting of the Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) in St. Petersburg, Russia, on 24 July 2017, the Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Technical Committee (JTC) has been instructed to convene with some OPEC Member Countries as well as some non-OPEC participating countries to identify ways and means of raising levels of conformity.
JMMC expresses confidence that the oil market is steadily progressing towards rebalancing
24 Jul 2017 | The Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) met in St. Petersburg for its fourth meeting on 24 July 2017 to review the June 2017 report as well as the first six months of the Declaration of Cooperation, as submitted by the Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Technical Committee (JTC). This meeting was graciously hosted by the Russian Federation, and the Committee expressed its deep appreciation to HE Alexander Novak, Minister of Energy, for the warm hospitality and excellent arrangements extended to all delegations.
OPEC holds intensive consultations in lead-up to JMMC
23 Jul 2017 | On Saturday, 22 July 2017, the President of the OPEC Conference, HE Khalid A. Al-Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, together with OPEC Secretary General, Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, met with the OPEC delegations of Libya and Nigeria, who were in St. Petersburg, Russia, to attend the 6th Meeting of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC), in the lead-up to the 4th Meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) scheduled to take place on Monday, 24 July 2017.
OPEC Board Appoints Key Research Division Management
18 Jul 2017 | The OPEC Board of Governors, at its 149th Extraordinary Meeting on 18 July 2017, has confirmed the appointment to the OPEC Secretariat of a new Director, Research Division, as well as new Heads for the Energy Studies and Petroleum Studies Departments, respectively.
OPEC Secretary General welcomes new Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
26 Jun 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, has congratulated HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on his appointment as the new Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following the announcement of the decision in a Royal Decree by King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
JMMC reports best conformity level ever for May 2017
22 Jun 2017 | The Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) stated that, based on the Report of the Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Technical Committee (JTC) for the month of May 2017, OPEC and participating Non-OPEC producing countries recorded the highest conformity ever with their voluntary adjustments in production, achieving a level of 106%.
Nominations for OPEC Awards now open
22 Jun 2017 | OPEC today called for nominations to be made for its two prestigious industry awards: one for Journalism and another for Research.
OPEC launches Annual Statistical Bulletin
13 Jun 2017 | The OPEC Secretariat is pleased to announce the release of the 52nd edition of the Annual Statistical Bulletin (ASB).
OPEC to hold 7th International Seminar in Vienna 20−21 June 2018
09 Jun 2017 | The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will host the 7th OPEC International Seminar at the Imperial Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria, on 20−21 June 2018 under the theme, ‘Petroleum – cooperation for a sustainable future’.
OPEC Secretary General meets with Russian Prime Minister and other officials in Moscow
01 Jun 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, met with Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, following the conclusion of the Sixth High-level Meeting of the OPEC-Russia Energy Dialogue that was held on 31 May 2017 in Moscow.
Sixth Meeting of the OPEC-Russia Energy Dialogue
31 May 2017 | [Joint Conclusion] The Sixth High-level Meeting of the OPEC-Russia Energy Dialogue was held on 31 May 2017 in Moscow. The Meeting was co-chaired by HE Alexander Novak, the Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation; HE Khalid A. Al-Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and President of the OPEC Conference; and HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, Secretary General of OPEC.
OPEC 172nd Meeting concludes
25 May 2017 | The 172nd Meeting of the Conference of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was held in Vienna, Austria, on Thursday, 25 May 2017, under the Chairmanship of its President, HE Khalid A. Al-Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry & Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia and Head of its Delegation.
2nd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting concludes
25 May 2017 | Following the conclusion of the 172nd Meeting of the Conference of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) held today at the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna, Austria, Ministers from OPEC Member Countries met with their counterparts from non-OPEC oil producing countries that participated in the Declaration of Cooperation of 10 December 2016.
Opening address to the 172nd Meeting of the OPEC Conference
25 May 2017 | by HE Khalid A. Al-Falih, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, and President of the OPEC Conference
JMMC reports steady and convincing progress towards 100% conformity and recommends a nine-month extension
24 May 2017 | The Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) convened in Vienna, Austria, for its third meeting on 24 May 2017 and stated that, based on the Report of the Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Technical Committee (JTC) for the Month of April 2017, OPEC and participating Non-OPEC producing countries have shown steady and convincing progress towards full conformity with their respective adjustments in production.
Second High-level Meeting of the OPEC-India Energy Dialogue
22 May 2017 | [Joint Conclusion] The second High-level Meeting of the OPEC-India Energy Dialogue was held on 22 May 2017 in Vienna. The Meeting was co-chaired by the OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, and HE Dharmendra Pradhan, India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
JMMC reports yet another high level of conformity
28 Apr 2017 | The Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) reported that based on the Report of the Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Technical Committee (JTC) for the month of March, OPEC and Non-OPEC countries have continued their high level of conformity with their voluntary adjustments in production.
OPEC Secretary General speaks at International Oil Summit in Paris
27 Apr 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, was today joined by HE Dr. Sun Xiansheng, the Secretary General of the International Energy Forum (IEF) and Mr. Keisuke Sadamori, the Director of the Energy Markets and Security Division at the International Energy Agency (IEA), on a panel session at the 18th International Oil Summit in Paris. The session was moderated by Mr. Claude Mandil, a former Executive Director of the IEA.
OPEC Secretary General participates in 3rd GCC Petroleum Media Forum
24 Apr 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, and an accompanying delegation took part in the 3rd GCC Petroleum Media Forum held in Abu Dhabi 19-20 April under the auspices of His Highness, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
OPEC Secretariat announces ‘Big Data Project’ launch
11 Apr 2017 | [Joint Press Release] The OPEC Secretariat and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Energy are pleased to announce the launch of the first phase of the Oil and Gas Big Data Project, which will take place during the 3rd GCC Petroleum Media Forum in Abu Dhabi on 19–20 April 2017.
Iraq’s President, Prime Minister, National Alliance Head meet with OPEC Secretary General in Baghdad
04 Apr 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, and a delegation from the OPEC Secretariat, met in Baghdad separately with the President of Iraq, HE Dr. Fuad Masum, Iraqi Prime Minister, HE Dr. Haider Al-Abadi, and Head of the Iraqi National Alliance, Sayyid Ammar Al-Hakim, in the presence of HE Jabbar Al-Luiebi, Iraq's Federal Minister of Oil.
JMMC reports high level of conformity
26 Mar 2017 | The Joint OPEC/Non-OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) convened in Kuwait City for its second meeting on 26 March 2017. It announced that, based on the Report of the Joint OPEC/Non-OPEC Technical Committee (JTC) for the month of February 2017, OPEC and participating non-OPEC countries have continued their progress towards full conformity with their voluntary adjustments in production.
High-level experts meet for 2nd Joint IEA-IEF-OPEC Technical Meeting on the Interactions between Physical and Financial Energy Markets
16 Mar 2017 | [Joint Press Release] The International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Energy Forum (IEF) and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) met today at the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna, Austria, to participate in the 2nd Joint IEA-IEF-OPEC Technical Meeting on the Interactions between Physical and Financial Energy Markets. The Joint Meeting represents the 7th event in this ongoing dialogue.
OPEC Secretary General meets with new Deputy Secretary-General of the UN
11 Mar 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, met on March 10 with the new Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Amina J. Mohammed. Ms. Mohammed is a former Minister of the Environment in Nigeria.
OPEC Secretary General participates in CERAWeek 2017
10 Mar 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, was Tuesday (March 7) joined by the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Dr. Fatih Birol, in a two-man plenary session at the CERAWeek 2017 in Houston. The energy dialogue was moderated by Daniel Yergin Vice Chairman, IHS Markit, and Chairman of CERAWeek.
OPEC Secretary General meets with top officials in Nigeria
06 Mar 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, paid a working visit to his home country, Nigeria, from February 25–March 3. This was his first visit since his assumption of the office of Secretary General on August 1 last year. During the visit he met with HE Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Abuja, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, as well as senior government and corporate leaders.
Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee reports solid progress made towards full conformity
24 Feb 2017 | The Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) reported today that based on the Report of the Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Technical Committee (JTC), OPEC and Non-OPEC countries are on the right track towards full conformity with their adjustments in production.
OPEC Secretary General speaks at IP Week conference in London
21 Feb 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, today (21 February 2017) delivered a keynote address at the International Petroleum (IP) Week conference in London. The session was moderated by Manus Cranny, Markets Editor/Anchor, Bloomberg TV, who followed the Secretary General’s speech with a number of questions, including some from the audience.
High Level Experts Assess Energy Future at 7th IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Energy Outlooks
15 Feb 2017 | [Joint Press Release] The International Energy Forum (IEF), the International Energy Agency (IEA), and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) convened the Seventh IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Energy Outlooks that successfully concluded its sessions debating short-, medium, and long-term energy outlooks and transport sector dynamics at the IEF Headquarters in Riyadh on 15 February 2017.
OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo meets with Saudi Minister Al-Falih, visits KAPSARC
15 Feb 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, and an accompanying delegation of OPEC officials met Tuesday afternoon with HE Khalid A. Al-Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh. HE Al-Falih also serves as President of the OPEC Conference.
OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo visits Saudi Aramco
14 Feb 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, met with Amin Nasser, President and Chief Executive Officer and other senior officials of Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil and gas company, at a meeting yesterday in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
OPEC Secretary General meets with TOTAL Chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné
08 Feb 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, met with Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of French oil and gas company TOTAL SA, during a high-level meeting Tuesday at the company’s headquarters.
OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo met with Eni's CEO Claudio Descalzi
07 Feb 2017 | The OPEC Secretary General, Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo met Eni’s CEO Claudio Descalzi yesterday at Eni’s headquarters in San Donato Milanese, south of Milan.
Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee concludes inaugural meeting
22 Jan 2017 | The Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) concluded its inaugural meeting today at the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna, Austria.
Venezuelan President, new Petroleum Minister meet OPEC Secretary General
17 Jan 2017 | The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, HE Nicolás Maduro Moros, met here yesterday with OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo.
OPEC Secretary General participates in Atlantic Council Global Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi
14 Jan 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, this week attended a new flagship initiative - the Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi - organized by the Atlantic Council, in partnership with the Ministry of Energy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the Mubadala Development Company and the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).
OPEC Secretary General meets Kuwait’s Emir, Oil Minister and other senior Kuwaiti officials
11 Jan 2017 | His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait, received on January 9, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), accompanied by HE Issam A. Almarzooq, Kuwait’s Minister of Oil and its Minister of Electricity & Water, at Bayan Palace, Kuwait City.
OPEC Secretary General meets with Qatar’s Minister of Energy and Industry
08 Jan 2017 | OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, met with HE Dr. Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry of Qatar on Saturday, 7 January.