海湾产油国拒绝减产

Oil-rich countries in the Gulf have maintained a firm stance against non-OPEC crude producers, vowing to maintain output and refusing to hold an emergency meeting to discuss falling prices.

OPEC leaders Saudi Arabia and Kuwait said they would not cut production even if non-OPEC members reduce their output, while the United Arab Emirates and Iraq shrugged off calls for an emergency meeting of the group. The global oil market has become increasingly competitive in recent years, with the surge in shale and sand oil production from countries outside the decades-old alliance.

As a result, oil prices around the world have fallen almost 50 percent since June, mainly due to oversupply, a weak global economy and strong US dollar. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar and Iraq produce around 20 million barrels a day, making up two-thirds of OPEC's output. The group decided to maintain its production levels at 30 million barrels per day last month, which led to the recent slump in oil prices.

"We are not at a disaster, this has happened before, we are just at a short term of over supply. This over-supply will be fixed because the market is strong," says Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Energy Minister.

"We do not know what can happen in the future, but what we know for sure is that those who have the most and best production will control the market," says Ali Al Naimi, Saudi Minister for Petro. and Mineral Resources.