LONDON, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Surging oil production from
non-OPEC countries led by the United States along with abundant
global stocks will help the market weather political shocks such
as the U.S.-Iran stand-off, the International Energy Agency
(IEA) said on Thursday.
"For now the risk of a major threat to oil supplies appears
to have receded," the Paris-based IEA said in a monthly report.
"Today's market, where non-OPEC production is rising
strongly and OECD stocks are 9 million barrels above the
five-year average, provides a solid base from which to react to
any escalation in geopolitical tension," the IEA said.
The IEA said it expected production to outstrip demand for
crude from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
(OPEC) even if members comply fully with a pact with Russia and
other non-OPEC allies to curb output.
"Even if they adhere strictly to the cuts, there is still
likely to be a strong build in inventories during the first half
of 2020," the IEA said.
It estimated OPEC crude production at 29.3 million barrels
per day (bpd) in January, 700,000 bpd above the projected demand
for it.
Still, the IEA said global oil supply tumbled by 780,000 bpd
in December month on month as Saudi Arabia reined in production
and due to a seasonal fall in biofuel production.