Lukoil president predicts higher oil prices
The price of oil is expected to average to $100-$110 per barrel in June, RBC reports quoting Lukoil President.
Lukoil President Vagit Alekperov said on the sidelines of the 16th St. Petersburg International Economic ForumThe that the optimal oil price is between $95 and $105 per barrel in view of the production costs incurred by oil companies.
Oil prices have fallen over 20% compared to the highest levels reached in spring amid concerns that energy demand would decline due to slow recovery of the global economy. On June 20, Brent oil dropped 3.2% below $93, the lowest close since December 2010. The price of WTI crude plunged to the lowest level since early October 2011, i.e. below $83 per barrel.
The Russian government expects that full-year oil price could average below the original forecast of $115 per barrel. If the price falls to $110, the Reserve Fund will experience some $9.23bn shortfall in revenue. Russia will have a non-deficit budget with an average annual oil price of $117.