OPEC+ Announces Historic Oil Production Cut, Sending US Gas Prices Soaring
In a move that is set to send shockwaves through the global energy market, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies have announced an unprecedented oil production cut of over 1.6 million barrels per day, effective from May onwards. This surprise move has already started to take effect on Monday, causing Brent crude futures and US benchmark WTI prices to surge by about 6% in trading.
The impact on gasoline prices is expected to be even more pronounced, with wholesale gasoline prices rising by about 8 cents a gallon, or around 3%, as of morning trading. This increase will be passed down to US drivers relatively quickly, further fueling inflation concerns.
According to Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis for OPIS, which tracks gas prices for AAA, OPEC's move is likely to reignite the "inflation monster," leaving the White House feeling shocked and upset. He believes that US gas prices could reach as high as $3.80 to $3.90 in a short order due to this production cut.
While Kloza acknowledges that the US national average for gas prices was still below the record-high levels of 2022, when oil prices skyrocketed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he warns that the current reduction in oil output will be challenging to offset. He attributes one key factor keeping prices lower to the upcoming releases from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), as well as increased US oil production and refining capacity.
However, Kloza emphasizes that this significant reduction in OPEC's oil production capacity will have a lasting impact on global energy markets. "They have the ability to cut production, and they seem motivated to do so," he said.
The current increase in gas prices is set to push the national average for US gas prices above $3.50, surpassing last February's average price of $3.53 – just a day before Russia's invasion of Ukraine sparked a global energy crisis.
				
			In a move that is set to send shockwaves through the global energy market, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies have announced an unprecedented oil production cut of over 1.6 million barrels per day, effective from May onwards. This surprise move has already started to take effect on Monday, causing Brent crude futures and US benchmark WTI prices to surge by about 6% in trading.
The impact on gasoline prices is expected to be even more pronounced, with wholesale gasoline prices rising by about 8 cents a gallon, or around 3%, as of morning trading. This increase will be passed down to US drivers relatively quickly, further fueling inflation concerns.
According to Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis for OPIS, which tracks gas prices for AAA, OPEC's move is likely to reignite the "inflation monster," leaving the White House feeling shocked and upset. He believes that US gas prices could reach as high as $3.80 to $3.90 in a short order due to this production cut.
While Kloza acknowledges that the US national average for gas prices was still below the record-high levels of 2022, when oil prices skyrocketed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he warns that the current reduction in oil output will be challenging to offset. He attributes one key factor keeping prices lower to the upcoming releases from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), as well as increased US oil production and refining capacity.
However, Kloza emphasizes that this significant reduction in OPEC's oil production capacity will have a lasting impact on global energy markets. "They have the ability to cut production, and they seem motivated to do so," he said.
The current increase in gas prices is set to push the national average for US gas prices above $3.50, surpassing last February's average price of $3.53 – just a day before Russia's invasion of Ukraine sparked a global energy crisis.
 think about it, if 1.6 million barrels of oil is enough to shock the market, what does that say about our addiction to fossil fuels? we're already seeing prices skyrocket and its only may... can you imagine when they finally raise prices above $4?
 think about it, if 1.6 million barrels of oil is enough to shock the market, what does that say about our addiction to fossil fuels? we're already seeing prices skyrocket and its only may... can you imagine when they finally raise prices above $4?  inflation monster indeed!
 inflation monster indeed! . I mean, think about it - these oil-producing nations are essentially holding the world hostage with their production levels. It's like they're trying to exert some kind of economic leverage over other countries... and it's not hard to see why the White House is getting worked up over this! The fact that US gas prices are now surging is just another symptom of a larger problem - the lack of global economic cooperation and coordination
. I mean, think about it - these oil-producing nations are essentially holding the world hostage with their production levels. It's like they're trying to exert some kind of economic leverage over other countries... and it's not hard to see why the White House is getting worked up over this! The fact that US gas prices are now surging is just another symptom of a larger problem - the lack of global economic cooperation and coordination  .
. . This OPEC+ move is not just about oil production; it's a reminder that global events can have far-reaching consequences for individual nations and their citizens
. This OPEC+ move is not just about oil production; it's a reminder that global events can have far-reaching consequences for individual nations and their citizens  .
. . The fact that OPEC+ is taking steps to reduce production raises questions about whether there are underlying diplomatic issues at play here
. The fact that OPEC+ is taking steps to reduce production raises questions about whether there are underlying diplomatic issues at play here  .
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 . anyone who thought $3.50 a gallon for gas was crazy should be prepared for a lot more
. anyone who thought $3.50 a gallon for gas was crazy should be prepared for a lot more  .
. oh man, this OPEC move is going to blow up gas prices
 oh man, this OPEC move is going to blow up gas prices  . What's really concerning is that OPEC seems motivated to cut production, which means we're looking at a prolonged period of higher prices
. What's really concerning is that OPEC seems motivated to cut production, which means we're looking at a prolonged period of higher prices  . As someone who owns an electric car, this news is bittersweet
. As someone who owns an electric car, this news is bittersweet  . I'm stoked my car is gonna save me some cash, but not so much for the rest of us
. I'm stoked my car is gonna save me some cash, but not so much for the rest of us  .
. Can you believe it? OPEC is like, "Hey, let's cut oil production and watch the US go crazy!" And they're not even trying to hide it
 Can you believe it? OPEC is like, "Hey, let's cut oil production and watch the US go crazy!" And they're not even trying to hide it  . Like, I get it, they want to boost prices, but do we really need a $3.80 gallon of gas?!
. Like, I get it, they want to boost prices, but do we really need a $3.80 gallon of gas?! 
 . The price of gas is gonna go up, and that's not just an economic thing, it's also gonna affect people's lives in real ways. Can we all agree that's what I'm trying to say?
. The price of gas is gonna go up, and that's not just an economic thing, it's also gonna affect people's lives in real ways. Can we all agree that's what I'm trying to say?  or its gas prices will keep rising. maybe it's time for some infrastructure upgrades and more efficient cars
 or its gas prices will keep rising. maybe it's time for some infrastructure upgrades and more efficient cars 
 . I mean, who benefits from this? The big oil companies, that's who! They get to make more money off our pain
. I mean, who benefits from this? The big oil companies, that's who! They get to make more money off our pain  Please, they're just trying to cover up the real agenda. I'm not buying it
 Please, they're just trying to cover up the real agenda. I'm not buying it  . We need to keep a close eye on this situation and see where it leads us
. We need to keep a close eye on this situation and see where it leads us  . This could be big...
. This could be big... this oil production cut from OPEC+ is gonna be huge, I'm expecting US gas prices to skyrocket
 this oil production cut from OPEC+ is gonna be huge, I'm expecting US gas prices to skyrocket  , like $3.80+ in no time! the inflation monster is gonna rear its head again and I'm worried about how that's gonna affect people's pockets
, like $3.80+ in no time! the inflation monster is gonna rear its head again and I'm worried about how that's gonna affect people's pockets  .
. [www.opisnet.com](http://www.opisnet.com) is saying us gas prices could reach $3.80 to $3.90 soon? that's like, crazy! and Kloza says it's gonna reignite the "inflation monster"
 [www.opisnet.com](http://www.opisnet.com) is saying us gas prices could reach $3.80 to $3.90 soon? that's like, crazy! and Kloza says it's gonna reignite the "inflation monster"  not sure about this but i guess we'll just have to wait and see how it plays out
 not sure about this but i guess we'll just have to wait and see how it plays out  Time to start digging into pockets
 Time to start digging into pockets  guess we'll just have to wait and see how this all plays out in the coming weeks/months
 guess we'll just have to wait and see how this all plays out in the coming weeks/months  I'm not mad though, it's all about supply & demand, right? They're basically doing us a solid by reducing production, but also leaving the US drivers feeling like they got robbed
 I'm not mad though, it's all about supply & demand, right? They're basically doing us a solid by reducing production, but also leaving the US drivers feeling like they got robbed  .
. . $3.80 to $3.90 gas? That's like buying a Tesla
. $3.80 to $3.90 gas? That's like buying a Tesla