TEHRAN Oct 12 (Shana)-An advisor to the Institute for International Energy Studies (IIES) Mehran Amirmoeini has said consensus in OPEC is very essential at the current status [of falling prices].Speaking to Shana, Amirmoini said various elements including lower demand, oversupply, selling forward contracts by speculators and rising oil production in the U.S and Libya are the main reasons behind the recent slide in oil prices.
When the market is faced with falling demand and simultaneously rising supply, naturally some countries try to absorb customers by offering discounts, he said adding even though Saudi Arabias move to cut official selling prices could by justified economically, the countrys move is unacceptable as an OPEC member.
According to the IIES advisor, being a member of OPEC means that they should act under their obligations.
He added that OPECs members are expected to ask Saudi Arabia to lower its oil production, otherwise oil prices may fall sharply.
In 1998 inadequate reaction by OPEC sent oil prices to as low as 6 to 8 dollars per barrel, Amirmoini said.
By SHANA
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