January 20, 2023 15:30 GMT
Upstream Spending Recovers But Below Pre-Pandemic Levels
OIL
Global upstream spending recovered strongly in 2022 but remained below pre-pandemic levels, according to S&P Global.
- Investment in major non-OPEC upstream projects excluding Russia was $451m in 2022, up 19% from $381m in 2021 and 29% higher than 2020 according to S&P Global data. Investment averaged $690m in 2010-2014.
- Concern for future supply is fuelled by the commitment of producers to capital discipline over production increases.
- Increasing industry costs, supply chain constraints and longer term renewable energy aims have also limited upstream spending.
- Only seven oil projects were sanctioned in 2016 and 2020 leading to a potential supply shortfall in coming years. In 2022 14 major non-OPEC oil projects were sanctioned with 16 in 2021.
- The global oil industry needs to add 5mbpd of new production capacity each year to offset natural declines according to OPEC.
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