"Oil Prices Dive as Saudi Arabia Takes Aim at Russian Production"

"Russia on Friday rejected an agreement with OPEC on cuts in oil supplies to bolster prices."

"Saudi Arabia slashed its export oil prices over the weekend in what is likely to be the start of a price war aimed at Russia but with potentially devastating repercussions for Russia’s ally Venezuela, Saudi Arabia’s enemy Iran and even American oil companies.

The effects were quickly felt, as the Brent global oil benchmark price collapsed by about $11 a barrel, or 25 percent, late Sunday in the sharpest decline since at least 1991, and stock market futures fell by about 3 percent.

The Saudi decision to cut prices by nearly 10 percent on Saturday was a dramatic move in retaliation for Russia’s refusal on Friday to join the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in a large production cut as the coronavirus continues to slow the global economy and, with it, demand for oil."

Clifford Krauss and Stanley Reed report for the New York Times March 8, 2020.

SEE ALSO:

"Oil Crashes By Most Since 1991 As Saudi Arabia Launches Price War" (CNN)

"How Putin Spurned The Saudis To Start A War On America’s Shale Oil Industry" (Bloomberg)

"Oil Prices Plunge As Much As 30% After Opec Deal Failure Sparks Price War" (CNBC)

"Panic Grips World Markets As Coronavirus Fear Unleashes Oil-Price War" (Washington Post)

"Oil Demand Plunges By Largest Amount In History — Report" (EnergyWire $$)

Source: NY Times, 03/09/2020