Quarterly oil market update- Q2 2017: (OPEC Discipline Waning?)

Oil prices declined by 8 percent quarter-on-quarter in Q2 2017, the first such decline since Q1 2016. Higher OPEC oil production, mainly from Nigeria and Libya, plus continued rises in US oil production, were the primary triggers for the slump in prices. Going forward, doubts remain over OPECs ability to, firstly, maintain discipline amongst members and, secondly, prevent sizable increases in supply from Libya and Nigeria. In addition, as the recovery in US oil production continues, with US shale oil supply expected to achieve an all-time record high in the next few months, the risk to oil prices remains firmly skewed to the downside.