Canary CEO: OPEC's Gulf State Members Appear to Be Taking Aim at American Shale

DENVER, Nov. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announced the decision to continue current production levels of 30 million barrels a day after the cartel's ministers met in Vienna.  OPEC's Arab Gulf state members led by Saudi Arabia, disregarded pleas from the organizations more penurious members to stabilize dropping oil prices by reducing oil production.

"American shale oil producers will definitely feel the far-reaching effects of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' (OPEC's) decision to keep its oil output at robust levels," said Dan K. Eberhart, Chief Executive Officer of Canary, an oilfield services company based in Denver.

The US shale energy boom has propelled US oil production to its highest levels in decades, dramatically decreasing America's demand for imports.

"The Arab Gulf State members' refusal to yield represents economic hardships for cash-strapped, oil-dependent countries that rely on higher oil prices for government revenue," Eberhart said. "The likelihood of a continued free-fall in oil prices will make it more difficult for US shale oil producers to fund new drilling projects, pursue exploration and in some cases – simply continue operations."

Slowing economies in Europe and China have cut global demand even further, resulting in significant global oversupply – and steadily dropping prices. Eberhart said oil states such as Nigeria and Venezuela, will likely be forced to devalue their currencies as oil revenue continues to falter.

"By holding fast to current production levels, Saudi Arabia is essentially saying that we need to put a wet blanket on American shale," said Eberhart. "American shale plays with higher production costs, such as the Bakken in North Dakota, will be affected more. Weaker or over-leveraged American oilfield companies most likely will struggle – and may even be forced to close."

Historically, OPEC has taken the lead in stabilizing the global market by adjusting production levels as necessary, but Gulf State members with the resources to ride out a period of low oil prices are capitalizing on the opportunity to dampen the American shale boom.

"This decision did not come as a big surprise. OPEC has been indicating this would be the policy for a few months: to keep production high," said Eberhart.  "The U.S. ban on exporting its highly sought-after, light, low-sulfur crude oil is not helping matters, Eberhart noted. "Exporting US crude would add more supply to the world, which would help stabilize the price with constant demand."

About Canary, LLC

Canary is America's largest independent wellhead service company and one of the largest privately owned oilfield service companies in North America. Canary operates in every major American play, including North Dakota, Ohio and Texas. For more information, visit www.canary-llc.com

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SOURCE Canary, LLC