OPEC+ approves fourth oil output quota hike since Hormuz closure

OPEC+ agreed on Sunday a fourth increase in its oil output targets in as many months, ‌even though the U.S. war with Iran is still preventing several of the group's members from pumping more.

The war has cut oil flows via the Strait of Hormuz, creating the world's biggest-ever supply crisis as key OPEC+ members including Saudi Arabia have been unable to supply customers in full since the end of February. The crisis ​for OPEC+ deepened when the United Arab Emirates left the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries after almost 60 years.

Seven core ​members of OPEC+, which groups OPEC and allied producers including Russia, have increased their output quotas from April ⁠to June by almost 600,000 barrels per day.

In reality, the group's production has collapsed due to export cuts by Gulf members, averaging 33.19 million ​bpd in April compared with 42.77 million in February, according to OPEC figures.

Impact of production target increase

On Sunday, the seven members decided to increase ​targets by 188,000 bpd from July, OPEC said in a statement. This is the same as the June hike, which was adjusted down from monthly increases of 206,000 bpd in May and April to take into account the UAE exit.