Rewakening the ‘inflation monster,’ OPEC+ moves to send US gas prices higher | CNN Business

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.
 
🤔 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!
 
This OPEC+ move is just another example of how the global economy can be controlled by a few key players 🤯. 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 🌎.

And let's be real, folks - if we're seeing price spikes in the US already, just imagine what it'll look like for other countries... especially those with more fragile economies 🤕. 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 💸.

It's also worth noting that this move highlights the tensions between the US and its allies in the Middle East... and how these relationships can affect energy markets 🤝. The fact that OPEC+ is taking steps to reduce production raises questions about whether there are underlying diplomatic issues at play here 📰.

Anyway, I'm keeping an eye on this situation... it's definitely going to be interesting to see how things play out 👀
 
man I'm not surprised about this oil production cut 🤔... i mean think about it, we're in 2025 and the world is already dealing with so many issues - climate change, supply chain disruptions, and now this... it just feels like the energy market is one big mess 🚮. anyone who thought $3.50 a gallon for gas was crazy should be prepared for a lot more 💸. i'm not sure what's going on with OPEC but i do know they're definitely making moves that are gonna affect a lot of people 😬.
 
💸🚗 oh man, this OPEC move is going to blow up gas prices 🤯! I'm not surprised tho, we've been hearing rumors about a potential production cut for ages 😬. $3.80 to $3.90? That's crazy talk 💸! I remember when the average price was around $2.50 and it was still super expensive 🤑. 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 😐. 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 😂. Like, I get it, they want to boost prices, but do we really need a $3.80 gallon of gas?! 🚗💸 It's gonna be a wild ride on the roads! 🚗💥
 
🤔 I think this news is like a good reminder that everything has its consequences, you know? OPEC's decision to cut oil production might seem like it would lower prices, but it's actually gonna have the opposite effect on some countries...like the US 🚗. It's like when you try to take away a kid's favorite toy, they just want it even more afterwards 😭. 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 us needs to find ways to reduce its dependence on foreign oil 🌎💧 or its gas prices will keep rising. maybe it's time for some infrastructure upgrades and more efficient cars 🚗🏎️
 
🤯 Gas prices are gonna be through the roof now. I'm talking like $4+ per gallon. The one thing that'll keep it from exploding is when they release oil from the reserve... but only for so long. 🚗💸
 
I'm telling you, something fishy is going on here 🤔. OPEC+ just dropped a bombshell and now US gas prices are skyrocketing 💸. It's like they're trying to sabotage the economy or something 😏. I mean, who benefits from this? The big oil companies, that's who! They get to make more money off our pain 🤑.

And what's with all these "experts" saying it's just a natural market fluctuation? 🙄 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 🔍. This could be big...
 
😱 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 💸. I know they're trying to reduce global supply, but it's just not gonna be enough to offset the US oil production growth & SPR releases 🤔. this is a tough time for everyone, especially for those who can't afford higher gas prices 🙅‍♂️.
 
🤯 OPEC's move to cut oil production by 1.6 million barrels per day is gonna blow the lid off gas prices in the US! I'm talking $3.80+ a gallon, yikes! 🚀 This is defo not good news for drivers, especially with inflation already running wild. It's like, I get it, OPEC wants to keep their oil powerhouses strong, but the rest of us are just gonna have to feel the pinch. What's crazy is they're basically telling us we gotta pay more for gas because they can, and that's not exactly reassuring 🤔
 
just saw this news and i'm kinda worried about the oil prices lol 😅 [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 💸 [www.whitehouse.gov](http://www.whitehouse.gov) might wanna update their inflation forecast stat 🔥
 
🤯 Wow, $3.80 to $3.90 for gas? that's crazy! I'm still trying to wrap my head around how one country's decision can impact the whole world. The US is already dealing with inflation, and now this? it's like, what's next? 🚗💸
 
omg i'm like totally shocked by this news!!! 🤯 the us gas prices are about to sky rocket and that's gonna make inflation even worse 🤑🚗 i feel bad for people who can't afford to fill up their tanks right now 💸 but at the same time, it's kinda cool that opec is taking control of oil production lol 😎 guess we'll just have to wait and see how this all plays out in the coming weeks/months 🤔
 
Yooo, what's good fam? So OPEC+ is basically saying "peace out" to the oil market and causing prices to skyrocket 🚀👽 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 😂. Kloza is right, this is gonna fuel inflation concerns for sure 💸. I just hope it doesn't get outta hand...or maybe that's the point lol 😉.
 
Umm, this OPEC+ thingy sounds like they're trying to make a buck off us 🤑. I mean, why cut production now? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for saving the environment and whatnot, but isn't there another way to do it without hurting our wallets? Sources say OPEC's got some major economic issues on their hands, so maybe this is just a desperate move to boost their oil sales?

I also don't buy into Tom Kloza's "inflation monster" rhetoric 🤔. I've seen inflation come and go over the years, and it always seems to pop back up when there's a change in supply or demand. What makes this time any different? And what about all those new US oil refineries that just got built? Wouldn't that offset some of the lost production?

I'm calling BS on OPEC+ trying to control global energy prices for their own gain 💸. It's just common sense, you know? If they really wanted to help the environment, there are better ways to do it without screwing over American consumers 😒.
 
🤔 omg did u hear about opec cutting oil production by like 1.6 mil barrels daily?? 😱 that's crazy!! i guess it makes sense tho cuz oil prices were way too low last year 🤑 now gas prices are gonna be through the roof!!! 🚗💸 my friend who lives in usa is already seeing the price hike and they're freaking out 🤯 what do u think about opec doing this?? should we be worried about inflation or is it just business as usual 🤔
 
I'm not surprised that OPEC cut oil production 🤷‍♂️, I mean who needs all that extra cash when you can watch your money grow in the bank? 💸 But seriously, this is gonna be like a big ol' speed bump for US drivers 😩. $3.80 to $3.90 gas? That's like buying a Tesla 🚀... or not 🤑! On the bright side, I'm sure Elon will be thrilled to have all that extra cash 💸😂!
 
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