* Saudi oil output edges lower
* Nigeria cuts supply but still exceeds quota
* Angolan output posts biggest rise after maintenance
* Output by country, compliance: By Alex Lawler
LONDON, Jan 6 (Reuters) - OPEC oil output fell in December
as Nigeria and Iraq adhered more closely to pledged reductions
and top exporter Saudi Arabia made further cuts ahead of a new
production-limiting accord, a Reuters survey found.
On average, the 14-member Organization of the Petroleum
Exporting Countries pumped 29.50 million barrels per day (bpd)
last month, according to the survey. That is down 50,000 bpd
from November's revised figure.
Crude prices have rallied to above $70 a barrel in 2020,
extending a 23% gain in 2019, supported by ongoing OPEC-led
curbs and increased Middle East tensions after the killing of a
top Iranian general. This has increased concern of conflict that
could further cut supply.
"Looking ahead, geopolitical risks will remain front and
centre of investor concerns," said Stephen Brennock of oil
broker PVM.
"A tense waiting game has begun to see if the fallout will
lead to a disruption in regional oil supplies."
OPEC, Russia and other allies, known as OPEC+, had an
agreement to reduce supply by 1.2 million bpd in 2019. OPEC's
share of the cut was about 800,000 bpd, to be made by 11
members, with exemptions for Iran, Libya and Venezuela.
At meetings in December, OPEC+ agreed to make an additional
cut of 500,000 bpd as of Jan. 1, 2020.
The 11 OPEC members bound by the agreement easily exceeded
the pledged cuts, thanks in large part to Saudi Arabia and its
Gulf allies cutting more than called for to support the market.
The December survey suggests Nigeria and Iraq, both laggards
in making cuts in 2019, achieved some progress. Compliance rose
to 158% in December, the survey found, from 153% in November.
NIGERIAN DROP
OPEC's largest production drop of 80,000 bpd was in Nigeria,
which exported less crude according to ship-tracking data and
loading schedules.
Much of this decline came from reduced shipments of Bonga
crude, which traders say has been undergoing maintenance.
OPEC's two top producers, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, each
reduced output by 50,000 bpd. This puts Saudi supply more than
500,000 bpd below its 2019 target. Iraq's compliance, at 59%, is
far lower than Saudi Arabia's but is up from 23% in November.
The United Arab Emirates made a further voluntary curb in
December, while Kuwaiti output was steady.
Among countries pumping more, the largest increase was in
Angola, which boosted exports after maintenance affecting the
Girassol crude stream had curbed supplies.
Venezuela, which is contending with U.S. sanctions imposed
on state oil firm PDVSA and a long-term decline in output,
managed a small boost to supply with exports increasing in
December.
Production from the other two exempt producers Libya and
Iran edged lower.
The Reuters survey aims to track supply to the market and is
based on shipping data provided by external sources, Refinitiv
Eikon flows data and information provided by sources at oil
companies, OPEC and consultants.
OPEC oil supply cuts https://tmsnrt.rs/2OYm9OG
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