What will Russia do?
The country's big producers have met most of the terms of the deal with Opec. But patience with the cuts is wearing thin
Russia's participation in the supply deal with Opec last year was essential to getting it across the line—without Moscow's agreement and, in the months after, Russian firms' unexpected adherence to the cuts, it didn't stand a chance. After eight months of cuts, oil prices are back beneath their level on the eve of the pact last November. Russia's producers, itching to get back to growth, may be getting cold feet about an agreement that is undermining their investment case, while plainly not yet yielding the boost from higher prices. The agreement, which was extended in May for another nine months, is curbing the operational performance of the Russian oil industry. Rosneft, which accounts for

Also in this section
20 March 2025
As cash-strapped Western governments commit to substantially raising defence expenditure, a similar dynamic is playing out in Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas sector, as Saudi Aramco maintains it heavy capex push despite reduced revenues
20 March 2025
Tariffs, sanctions and trade conflicts are upending the oil market, impacting crude differentials and shipping rates and creating uncertainty
20 March 2025
While advanced economies debate peak fossil fuel demand, billions of people still lack access to reliable and affordable energy, especially in the Global South
19 March 2025
Iran’s oil is caught in the crosshairs of support from China and Russia and US maximum pressure, with options becoming more and more limited