The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) has paused its recent oil production increases, keeping output levels unchanged for October after four consecutive monthly hikes.
The decision was taken on Sunday, September 6, 2026, when the seven core OPEC+ members — Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan and Oman — met virtually to review global oil market conditions and outlook.
OPEC+ began raising output in June as part of a phased plan to unwind production cuts introduced in 2023 to prevent excess crude supply in the global market.
The seven OPEC+ countries, which had announced additional voluntary production adjustments in April and November 2023, met virtually on September 6 to assess global market conditions and the outlook.
Following the meeting, the countries said they would maintain their September production levels for October.
The countries also reaffirmed their collective commitment to achieving full conformity with the Declaration of Cooperation, while maintaining their monthly reviews of market conditions.
The next meeting of the seven OPEC+ countries is scheduled for October 4, 2026, when they are expected to reassess market conditions and the outlook.
For October, the seven countries have a combined required production of about 31.01 million barrels per day (bpd).
Kuwait has a required production level of 2.676 million bpd, while Kazakhstan is set at 1.628 million bpd and Algeria at 1.007 million bpd. Oman has the lowest required production among the seven at 841,000 bpd.
In early August, OPEC+ approved a 188,000 bpd increase in September production quotas, marking the fourth consecutive monthly increase as the group continued its phased unwinding of supply cuts introduced in 2023.
The latest phase effectively reversed, on paper, two layers of the 2023 production cuts totalling about 3.5 million bpd, excluding the United Arab Emirates’ share, although actual supply restoration has been more limited because several members lack the capacity to raise production significantly.
Saudi Arabia continues to hold much of the alliance’s spare production capacity.
The OPEC+ decision comes as Nigeria continues to improve crude oil production and exceed its assigned quota, supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to raise oil output and revenues.
The October pause therefore gives OPEC+ room to assess the impact of the supply already restored before deciding whether to resume its production increases.
