The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC has cut its forecast for growth in world oil demand in 2022 for a third time since April, citing the economic impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, high inflation and ongoing efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
In a monthly report the OPEC, said it expects oil demand to rise by 3.1 million barrels per day (bpd), or 3.2 per cent, in 2022, down 260,000 bpd from the previous forecast.
Oil use has rebounded from the worst of the pandemic and is set to exceed 2019 levels this year even after prices hit record highs.
However, high crude prices and Chinese coronavirus outbreaks have eaten into 2022 growth projections.
“Global oil market fundamentals continued their strong recovery to pre-COVID-19 levels for most of the first half of 2022, albeit signs of slowing growth in the world economy and oil demand have emerged,” OPEC said in the report.
OPEC’s view contrasts with that of another closely watched forecaster, the International Energy Agency, which earlier on Thursday raised its outlook for 2022 demand, citing higher use of oil for power generation.
For 2023, OPEC expects growth to slow further to 2.7 million bpd, leaving its forecast unchanged from last month.
