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World Oil Outlook - Opec

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Ongoing geopolitical tensions, continuing excessive speculation in oil markets, a fragile<br />

financial and banking system, an anaemic economic recovery despite the extraordinary<br />

fiscal and monetary support, persistent high unemployment and social unrest<br />

in a number of countries have all made 2012 a challenging year for oil producers and<br />

consumers everywhere.<br />

The biggest hurdle facing the global oil market in 2012 remained the uncertainty<br />

surrounding the global economy. Risks stemming from the Euro-zone<br />

have heightened as a result of expanding public deficits, weakening economic<br />

growth, deleveraging in the banking system, as well as policy indecisiveness. The<br />

US appears more resilient, but its economic indicators throughout the year have<br />

been mixed. And in developing countries, economic growth is slowing, feeding<br />

concerns as to whether the difficulties in industrialized nations will spill over into<br />

their economies.<br />

Looking ahead, it is thus important to remain vigilant. The uncertainties regarding<br />

the prospects for the world’s major economies, as well as the potential adverse<br />

impacts of the enduring weaknesses of the international financial system, evidently<br />

constitute significant downside risk for oil markets. Yet, possible upside potential also<br />

exists and could have a sizable impact on oil prices and investment needs. The OPEC<br />

<strong>World</strong> <strong>Oil</strong> <strong>Outlook</strong> (WOO) aims to cover such a comprehensive view, in a balanced<br />

way.<br />

This past year has also seen prolonged instability and tensions in a number<br />

of countries. These events, in turn, have impacted the oil market. There have<br />

been supply disruptions in South Sudan, Syria and Yemen. And, in addition,<br />

geopolitical-related problems have continued to impact parts of the Middle East<br />

and North Africa.<br />

Volatility and excessive speculation were also present in 2012. Crude prices<br />

showed an upward trend during the first quarter of 2012, followed by a drop during<br />

the second quarter, before recovering in the third. These price fluctuations<br />

were a reflection of divergent factors, including global economic prospects, supply<br />

disruptions, refinery outages and other downstream bottlenecks, as well as<br />

geopolitical concerns.<br />

It is recognized that speculative investment flows can, if excessive, contribute<br />

to a distortion of the price of crude, and detach it from the physical realities<br />

of supply and demand. It is essential to keep trying to mitigate price extremes.<br />

Important moves to address this issue are underway, and are covered in this<br />

WOO.<br />

1<br />

Foreword

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