VOL. XLV

No 3

21 January 2002

 

 OIL PRICES

 

Latest Budget Oil Price Assumptions Reiterate Downward Trend

The latest round of oil price assumptions – from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Syria and Iran – demonstrates a considerably more conservative forecasting environment than earlier projections in other oil producing countries and a continued downward trend. In 2001, oil-producing countries had adopted significantly higher oil price assumptions, generally above the $20/B mark (see Table below). But as oil prices fell in the latter part of 2001 governments have taken a more conservative stance, with the latest set of results averaging $18.4/B. Saudi Arabia has issued the lowest oil price assumption to date of $15.5/B (MEES, 17 December 2001).

 

Crude Oil Export Prices for Selected Oil-Producing Countries(1)

 

 

Budget Oil Price Assumption*

Price Avg(2)

Price Avg(2)

 

 

Country

$/B 2001

$/B 2002

($/B - 2000)

($/B - 2001)

Fiscal Yr

MEES Reference

Algeria

22

22

28.8

-

Calendar Yr

       3 Apr 2000

Bahrain

15-18

15-18

-

-

Calendar Yr

       13 Nov 2000

Indonesia

24

22

28.8

-

1 April-31 Dec

-

Iran

20

18-19

25.0

24(5)

21 Mar-20 Mar

       14 Jan 2002

Kuwait

15 (2001-02)

-

25.9

23.50

31 Mar-1 April

       29 Oct 2001

Mexico

18

17

-

19

Calendar Yr

-

Nigeria

22

18

28.5

-

Calendar Yr

-

Norway

22.3

20.88

-

-

Calendar Yr

 

Oman

18

18

26.6

23

Calendar Yr

       14 Jan 2002

Qatar

15 (2000-01)

-

27.6

-

31 Mar-1 Apr

       17 Apr 2000

Russia

-

18.50

-

18 (2001-02)(4)

Calendar Yr

       17 Dec 2001

S. Arabia

20-21

15.5

25-27

22

Calendar Yr

       1 Jan 2001

Syria

24

20-24(6)

25.0

-

Calendar Yr

       15 Jan 2001

Venezuela

20

18.50

26.3

21.61(3)

Calendar Yr

       8 Jan 2001

Yemen

22

18

28.2

-

Calendar Yr

       11 Dec 2001

 

 

(1) Figures are drawn from a variety of official and non-official sources.

(2) Estimated.

(3) As at 17 October.

(4) According to Troika Dialog Bank estimates.

(5) For 1H FY2001-02

(6) Assumes $20/B for heavy crude and $24/B for light crude.

*   Budget oil price assumptions are based on the price of export crude.

 

 

Copyright © 2002 Middle East Economic Survey