OPEC+ maintains output plan, excludes US EIA oversight

OPEC+ has reaffirmed its decision to gradually increase oil output starting in April 2025 and has removed the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) from its list of secondary sources for monitoring production. This decision follows a review meeting in which the group opted to replace the EIA and consultancy Rystad Energy with Kpler, OilX, and ESAI. The move comes amid ongoing tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has urged OPEC to lower prices to counteract the financial support that elevated oil prices provide to Russia in its war efforts in Ukraine. OPEC+ continues to cut output by 5.85 million barrels per day as part of its strategy to stabilize crude prices. The organization previously dropped the International Energy Agency from its monitoring sources in 2022, citing concerns over the agency's critical stance on oil production. OPEC+ members remain cautious about flooding the market amid fluctuating global demand, especially from China.