What is OPEC+'s planned crude oil production adjustment for September, and how does it fit into the broader 2023 voluntary cut reversal plan?

OPEC+ plans to increase crude oil production by 188,000 barrels per day (bpd) in September, as approved in its August 2 meeting — matching the identical monthly increments implemented in June, July, and August. This final step completes the full reversal of the 1.65 million bpd voluntary production cuts agreed upon in 2023; the seven core members (Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan, and Oman) have already raised their collective output quotas by 958,000 bpd from April through August, and the September increase brings the total reversal to the full 1.65 million bpd target. Thus, the September adjustment serves as the definitive conclusion of this phase of the coordinated output normalization process.

Why has OPEC+ decided to pause further production increases after September, and what is the duration of this pause?

OPEC+ has decided to halt all subsequent production quota increases after September due to ongoing Middle East conflicts — specifically, the Iran-related hostilities — which have disrupted supply from key regional members; as stated in the news, 'the pause in quota hikes is directly linked to Iranian war-related damage to critical supply infrastructure of key Middle Eastern members'. The pause will last until the end of 2026, meaning no further adjustments to production targets will occur from October 2024 through December 2026, with the current output levels held steady until new quotas take effect in January 2027. Additionally, a separate, broader reduction measure of approximately 2 million bpd — applying to most OPEC+ members — will remain in place throughout this entire period, underscoring that the pause reflects pragmatic acknowledgment of real-world supply constraints rather than an active tightening of policy.

OPEC+ to Complete Planned Crude Oil Production Increase in September

Jul 31, 2026

OPEC+ members plan to approve a 188,000-barrel daily production increase in September, completing their voluntary cut rollback plan. However, quotas will remain unchanged until January 2027 due to ongoing Middle East supply disruptions.

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