© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A view shows a pressure gauge near oil pump jacks outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk   LCO -0.55% Add to/Remove from Watchlist Add to Watchlist Add Position

Position added successfully to:


 
+ Add another position Close

By Vladimir Soldatkin and Olesya Astakhova


MOSCOW (Reuters) - As the world's most powerful oil producers ponder further supply cuts, Russia has little incentive for a radical change as its energy revenue is strong, oil prices are higher than its forecasts and its budget deficit is narrowing.


Ministers from OPEC+, which groups the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies led by Russia, meet on Sunday in Vienna.


OPEC+ is set to consider whether to make additional oil supply cuts, three OPEC+ sources told Reuters with prices down by 16% since late September as crude output in the U.S., the world's top producer, held at record highs, while the market was concerned about demand growth, especially from China, the No. 1 importer of oil.


"I don't see any reasons to change something radically," a source close to the Russian government said on condition of anonymity about the forthcoming OPEC+ meeting.


The source added that there was still a chance for surprises at the face-to-face meeting.


Saudi Arabia, Russia and other members of OPEC+ have already pledged oil output cuts of 5.16 million barrels per day, or about 5% of daily global demand, in a series of steps that started in late 2022.


'COMFORT ZONE'


President Vladimir Putin says Russia has not simply survived but has prospered despite the West's imposition of the most stringent sanctions ever imposed on a major economy, including a cap on the price of Russian oil at $60 per barrel.


After a contraction in 2022, Russia's economy is forecast to grow by around 3% this year, faster than either the United States or the Euro zone, according to Russian forecasts.


Robust global oil prices this year and Moscow's growing use of a shadow tanker fleet have meant that much Russian oil has traded mostly above the Western oil cap price.


Moscow-based independent oil analyst Alexei Kokin said the oil prices declined from "very comfortable" levels to "just comfortable" levels.


"That's why, it looks like there is no special need for a move (for Russia). To leave the production restrictions as they are is an acceptable option," he said.


Russia has budgeted the price of Urals, its flagship oil grade, at 4,788 roubles ($53.36) per barrel this year.


The Urals price on Friday fell below the Western price cap level of $60 per barrel amid a rise in freight rates fuelled by fresh U.S. sanctions on shipowners and weaker global oil prices.


But it was still higher than 5,000 roubles per barrel and on Tuesday exceeded $60 per barrel again.


Budget plans published in September envisage Brent crude prices averaging $85 per barrel next year - more pessimistic than a Reuters poll forecast - and a Urals price of $71.30.


RUSSIAN REVENUE


Russia's budget deficit narrowed further last month thanks to higher oil prices, a lower rouble rate and an inflow of quarterly tax payments.


The deficit for the first 10 months of the year stood at 1.24 trillion roubles ($13.45 billion), or 0.7% of gross domestic product (GDP). That was far better than the initial plans for a deficit of 2.93 trillion roubles, or 2% of GDP for the whole 2023.


Oil and gas revenue in October was up 27.5% from a year earlier, although for the first 10 months of the year they were down 26.3%.


However, the share of energy sales in the federal budget proceeds - which used to exceed 50% of total budget revenue - has drastically declined.


In 2022 the share stood at 41.6% of total budget revenue, while in January-September of this year, oil and gas sales accounted for 28.3% of total proceeds of 19.73 trillion roubles ($220 billion).


Russia remains a natural resources superpower.


It has remained the world's top seller of grain. It also exports fertilizers and other commodities. Its other key sources of budget revenue are added value tax, a windfall tax of 300 billion roubles and other extra fees.


"The Russian budget is more sensitive to oil prices and the rouble exchange rate than oil production, so it will tend to favour current oil output targets as long as oil remains between $75 and $100 a barrel," said Ronald Smith, a senior analyst BCS World of Investments in Moscow.



On Tuesday, Brent crude futures were down 41 cents, or 0.5%, at $81.91 a barrel as of 0836 GMT.


($1 = 89.7230 roubles)


Analysis-Russia basks in the oil price comfort zone ahead of OPEC+  

UK grocery inflation in single digits for first time this year -Kantar

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Shoppers push trolleys along an aisle inside an ALDI supermarket near Altrinc

Banking chiefs say market vulnerable to 'geopolitical escalation', regulatory push

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: UBS Chairman Colm Kelleher speaks during the Annual General Meeting, two week

European shares subdued as energy counters gains in financials

© Reuters. The German share price index DAX graph is pictured at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Ge

Toyota rides weak yen, demand for hybrids to post blowout profit

3/3© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A view of the Toyota FT-3e elecric SUV concept vehicle during a press da

China firm launches stock indices to tap into rush for safe-haven gold

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A man cuts open the bag after he bought 50 gram gold bars as an investment in

Dollar edges higher ahead of Fed decision; yen remains weak

© Reuters. USD/JPY-0.26%Add to/Remove from WatchlistAdd to Watchli

European shares lifted by real estate stocks; BP drags energy sector

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: The German share price index DAX graph is pictured at the stock exchange in F

Debt-ridden retailer Casino Q3 sales down 5.3% as France weighs

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A logo of French retailer?Casino?is pictured outside a?Casino?supermarket in

What is a Deposit

What is a Deposit

Asset Definition

Assets are anything monetary in value that you own, such as equities, bonds, cash, stocks, or real estate. Read on to learn how assets work, their types, and why monitoring them is important for individuals as well as organizations.

Amazon says it has 10,000 Rivian electric vans in its delivery fleet

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: New Amazon EV vans powered by Rivian are parked at charging stations at the A

Dow futures steady as CPI snaps stock rally

© Reuters. C0.00%Add to/Remove from WatchlistAdd to Watchlist Ad