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Economist: Oil prices expected to remain $40-$60



`Oil prices in the short and long term may remain at a level of 40 to 60 US dollars per barrel. Why? Because Middle Eastern countries would not be strong if oil prices continuously remain below 40 US dollars per barrel,` said Chatib in the `2016 Citi Indonesia Market Outlook` event in Jakarta, Thursday night. He explained that this is the first time Saudi Arabia has had to borrow, because their income from oil has fallen and on the other hand their spending for subsidies is still quite large. `Saudi Arabia has also revoked subsidies and this was done because oil prices are inexpensive, similar to Indonesia last year,` he said. `However, on the other hand,` he said, `if oil prices exceed 60 to approach 70 US dollars per barrel, shale gas could be produced and of course OPEC countries would not want that to happen. `If shale gas is produced, it will become a competitor of oil, so it is possible in the long term that global oil prices will be in the range of 40 to 60 US dollars per barrel, however in the short term they could increase, for example, if there was news that US reserves were suddenly running low; oil prices could rise briefly but then fall down again.` he said. Regarding the impact for Indonesia, Chatib stated that the effect was being felt in the `threat balance` of our subsidies. `Because oil prices are also low, subsidies will also be unavailable, which will undoubtedly lower the effect on oil imports. However, on the other hand with low oil prices our exports will also be low; I'm not very worried about the current account issue over the next two years because the current account issue would come from infrastructure, not from oil,` said Chatib.
Editor: Tasrief Tarmizihttp://www.antaranews.com/berita/561980/ekonom-harga-minyak-diperkirakan-tetap-40-60-dolar-as