Insight - Oil producers can expect more turbulent years ahead

On the verge of collapse in 2020, Opec was saved by the Covid-19 pandemic and the need for a coordinated response to oil-supply management in the face of an unprecedented slump in demand. They have risen to that challenge with remarkable cohesion.Their next one will be continuing to stick together as the world’s need for oil tests their production limits. (File pic shows the Opec logo at its headquarters.)

THE Opec+ group of oil producers celebrated their fifth birthday in early December.

It’s been a turbulent time – more so than they could have imagined when they first came together to face the threat posed by the US shale boom back in 2016 – and the future doesn’t look much easier.