RIYADH: Saudi Arabia says any extra oil from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) cartel would do little to bring down surging natural gas prices.

       “We see our role as extremely limited,” Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz Salman said during the CERAWeek India Energy Forum yesterday.

       “The issue is not the availability of crude oil. Even if we made it available in tonnes and tonnes, who’s going to burn it? Who is in need of it? And are they in need of crude or in need, for example, of gas?”

       Gas and coal futures have soared to record highs in recent weeks amid shortages of the fuels across much of Europe and Asia. Oil has also risen as some power producers switch to crude, but it’s been less volatile, thanks in part to Opec+ committing to steady production increases.

       Prince Abdulaziz said oil demand may rise by 500,000 to 600,000 barrels a day if the northern hemisphere’s winter is colder than normal.

       That’s roughly 0.5% of global consumption. Any further boost to demand may be limited because many gas-fired generators cannot switch easily to oil, which is also a far dirtier fuel.The Opec and its allies – a 23-nation group led by Saudi Arabia and Russia – have pledged to raise daily output by 400,000 barrels each month.

       Some major consumers, including the United States and Japan, have called on exporters to do more to lower oil prices, which are up around 65% this year to over US$80 (RM333) a barrel. — Bloomberg