• ℍ𝕂-𝟞𝟝
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    8 days ago

    But OPEC propping up prices is actually them reducing production, isn’t it?

    • Rapidcreek@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      8 days ago

      I don’t think they’ve quite decided what to do. Some say that there is really nothing they can do. The problem is soft demand from China and huge US production

      • AA5B@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        8 days ago

        But OPEC is the solution to that. If OPEC were willing to take the hit, they can still profit even with a surplus large enough to lower prices and drive frackers out of business

        • Rapidcreek@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          8 days ago

          The US is the biggest producer and is not part of OPEC. There is no reason for the US to comply with OPECs supply targets, which is the way OPEC controls the market.

          • AA5B@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            edit-2
            8 days ago

            True enough, but between higher costs of drilling plus yet more cost for fracking, US oil is more expensive. US drillers can only be profitable if they can sell at a fairly high rate. OPEC can flood the market to lower all prices while still making a small profit, yet US drillers would be losing money

            • Rapidcreek@lemmy.world
              link
              fedilink
              arrow-up
              2
              ·
              8 days ago

              Oil is sold on the market at barrel cost, set by OPEC. Should that barrel cost be below US pumping costs the US will lower production. So far that isn’t the case and the result is a lower market and lower gas costs. I’m sure OPEC can flood the market making prices even lower. Speaking for the American consumer, I say “Bring it on”.