Oil Demand Growth to Slow in 2008, 2009: OPEC

OPEC on Tuesday cut its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2008 for a fourth time this year and said consumption would slow in 2009, signaling a more comfortable supply and demand balance.

AP

The 13-member group, source of two in every five barrels of oil, also said the need for its oil in 2009 would post the first significant decline since 2002 due to slower world demand and rising supply from non-member countries.

"Market fundamentals have clearly been softening," OPEC said in its Monthly Oil Market for July.

"This trend in fundamentals is expected to continue -- and even gather pace -- into the coming year."

OPEC's outlook adds to evidence that record-high oil prices are slowing demand in the industrialized world and follows other forecasts that a strain on supplies may ease in 2009.

Oil hit a record $147.27 a barrel last week.

Demand will rise by 1.03 million barrels per day (bpd) this year, 70,000 bpd less than the previous forecast, the report by OPEC economists said.

The previous reductions were in June, May and February.

In its first look at 2009 in the monthly report, OPEC said world consumption would rise by 900,000 bpd next year while supply from non-member countries would expand at a faster rate of 940,000 bpd.

China will make the largest contribution to world demand growth in 2009 while consumption in members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is expected to fall, OPEC said.

This year, a drop in demand for fuels such as gasoline in the United States due to high prices and the slowing economy is expected to weigh on consumption, despite growth in China, India and the Middle East.

Oil pared an earlier gain after the report was released but later recovered.

U.S. crude was up $1 a barrel at $146.18 as of 1241 GMT.

IEA View

OPEC is the latest forecaster to point to easing pressure on the world market next year.

The International Energy Agency, adviser to 27 industrialized countries on energy policy, said last week global demand would rise by 860,000 bpd in 2009, less than the 890,000 bpd this year.

According to OPEC, consumers will need 31.24 million bpd of oil on average from its members next year, down from 31.95 million bpd in 2008.

That will boost the amount of production held in reserve within the group.

"The decline in demand for OPEC crude combined with increasing OPEC capacity should further ease market conditions and likely help moderate prices," OPEC said.

Even so, OPEC said factors such as political tension, which it has blamed for rising prices, could limit the impact.

Consumers such as the United States, by contrast, say current prices reflect a tight market.

OPEC again trimmed its estimate for supply from non-member countries in 2008, citing lower output from Russia, Brazil and Mexico.

It expects production to rise by 580,000 bpd, 110,000 bpd less than previously thought.

Members of OPEC produced 32.3 million bpd in June, the report said, more than demand for its crude and, if sustained, enough to make up for any further shortfall outside the group.

"The year 2009 could see a significant build in inventories, more than enough to offset any downward revisions to non-OPEC supply," OPEC said.

Copyright 2009 Reuters. Click for restrictions.