OPEC crude oil production fell in May to its lowest level in at least 37 years, as the U.S. blockade on Iran and ongoing disruptions in the Persian Gulf continued to constrain output

OPEC expects robust oil demand growth and ​is not changing its estimates, ‌Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais said, despite the ​Middle East conflict and closure of ⁠the Strait of Hormuz

Another quota increase would show the group is approaching business as usual ​despite the disruption caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure and the unexpected exit in ​May of the United Arab Emirates

Leading OPEC+ members plan to continue monthly oil quota hikes through September to complete the restoration of production cuts implemented in 2023

A survey found that crude output from the 12 members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries fell by 830,000 barrels per day (bpd) in April from the previous month to 20.04 million bpd

The United Arab Emirates said it was quitting OPEC, dealing a blow to the oil producers’ group ​as an unprecedented energy crisis caused by the Iran war exposes discord among Gulf nations

The OPEC+ alliance agreed to increase oil production by 206,000 barrels per day, a largely symbolic move as the increase cannot be implemented while the war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz persist

OPEC oil production plunged in March to its lowest level since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020, a Reuters survey showed, as the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz and forced export cuts

OPEC+ is likely to consider a larger oil production increase of 411,000 barrels per day at its upcoming meeting, two sources familiar with the group’s position said

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) pumped 28.34 million barrels per day in January, 60,000 bpd less than in December, according to the survey, with Nigeria posting the largest decline