![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() by Daniel J. Graeber Moscow (UPI) Dec 28, 2016
There will be few pressures on the Russian economy so long as the price for crude oil stays above $45 per barrel, the head of one of Russia's largest bank said. Russia's export-based oil economy faced pressure at the start of the year from the steep downturn in the energy sector. The value of the national currency, the ruble, collapsed, the economy stagnated and inflation soared as the price for crude oil dropped below $30 per barrel. Herman Gref, the CEO at Sberbank, said the Russian economy has stabilized and should be able to withstand some level of declines in commodity prices. "Coal may become cheaper, but its price grew this year, so there is some room for maneuver," he was quoted by Russia's state-run news agency Tass as saying. "Oil now trades at $52-53 [per barrel], and even if the price falls to $45, there will be no shock." Gref said in early 2016 from the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Russian economy should expect a volatile year ahead. At the time, he expected crude oil prices would end 2016 at around $40 per barrel. The price the Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, was around $56 per barrel in early Wednesday trading. A survey last week from the Bank of Russia found most citizens had a generally positive outlook for the year ahead. "The respondents were more upbeat about future development of the country and changes in their material wealth, expecting increased output and better quality of life next year together with lower unemployment and less corruption," the bank stated. Russia is party to an agreement coordinated by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries that calls for production cuts starting next week. Russia would contribute the bulk of the managed declines from non-OPEC members, though its track record on coordinated production cuts is poor. Russia is on pace to average about 11 million barrels of oil production per day this year, about 1.8 percent higher than last year.
![]() ![]()
Related Links All About Oil and Gas News at OilGasDaily.com
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |