Algeria has authorized a production adjustment of 6,000 barrels per day (bpd) starting in April, as part of a coordinated decision by eight OPEC+ nations against a backdrop of persistent market uncertainty.
The decision was reached on Sunday during a ministerial videoconference involving Algeria, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Oman, and the Russian Federation. Collectively, the group will inject an additional 206,000 bpd into the global market beginning next month.
For Algiers, this modest increase will bring national production to 977,000 bpd, according to a statement from the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Mines.
The meeting, attended by Minister Mohamed Arkab, took place in what officials described as an “economic environment still marked by uncertainty,” despite “encouraging signs of gradual improvement.”
The participants noted that current moderate global demand—attributed to seasonal factors—is expected to strengthen in the coming months.
The official objective of OPEC and its allies remains the preservation of international oil market stability, citing “solid fundamentals” and low global inventories.
This adjustment is part of a phased return to production levels held prior to voluntary cuts—a plan initiated in April 2025 but suspended during the first quarter of 2026.
However, the organization clarified that these cuts could be “partially or fully” reinstated depending on market shifts, highlighting a flexible and cautious approach.
For Algeria, this adjustment raises questions regarding its actual energy maneuverability. The increase decided remains marginal compared to the total volumes injected by the group, reflecting the country’s
relative weight in the global petroleum equation.
By maintaining production at 977,000 bpd, Algiers remains below the symbolic threshold of one million barrels per day, at a time when national budget balances remain heavily dependent on hydrocarbon revenues.
While the authorities emphasize a “responsible and coordinated” management style, the structural dependence of the Algerian economy on energy exports continues to expose the country to international cycles.
e next meeting on April 5, dedicated to reviewing market conditions and compliance with commitments, will serve as a further test for a strategy oscillating between collective discipline and national constraints.
MK/ak/sf/lb/gik/APA