Core Insights - OPEC+ has announced a pause in production growth until Q1 2026, which has prompted Morgan Stanley to adjust its Brent crude oil price forecast from $57.50 to $60 per barrel, signaling a reduction in market volatility [1][2][4] - The pause in production growth is seen as a proactive measure by OPEC+ to stabilize the market, rather than a significant change in actual production levels [2][3] - Morgan Stanley believes that the combination of OPEC+'s intervention and new sanctions on Russian oil by the US and EU will support Brent oil prices in the near term [4][3] OPEC+ Production Strategy - OPEC+ plans to increase production by 137,000 barrels per day in December, consistent with previous months, but will pause growth from January to March due to seasonal demand factors [2] - The decision to pause is typical for the first quarter, which is usually a seasonally weak period for oil demand, reflecting a cautious approach by oil-producing countries [2] Market Dynamics and Price Forecast - Morgan Stanley's analysts assert that the perception of OPEC+ operating in an "autopilot" mode has been disrupted by this pause, indicating that the organization is still responsive to market conditions [3] - The firm anticipates a significant oversupply in the global oil market in 2026, particularly in the first half, but believes OPEC+'s intervention will mitigate downward price risks [3][4] - The forecast suggests that Brent oil prices could rise to $65 per barrel by the second half of 2027 as global demand begins to consume excess inventories [4] Discrepancies in Production Data - There is a notable gap between OPEC+'s production quotas and actual output, with discrepancies reported to exceed 2.5 million barrels per day, complicating the assessment of OPEC+'s effectiveness [6][9] - Morgan Stanley's analysis indicates that actual production growth has been minimal despite quota increases, suggesting that remaining production capacity may be limited [9][10]
OPEC+宣布明年暂停增产后,大摩火速上调油价预期!