# OPEC 8 Reaffirm Decision to Pause Production Hikes | Rigzone

> Eight OPEC+ countries reaffirmed their November 2025 decision to pause production increases in February and March 2026, citing seasonality. The statement also set required production levels and said the 1.65 million bpd of voluntary cuts could be returned gradually.

- Date: 2026-01-05 · published 2026-01-05T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: policy · region Global · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/20972-opec-8-reaffirm-decision-to-pause-production-hikes-rigzone
- Commodities: [Crude Oil (WTI)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/WTI.md), [Crude Oil (Brent)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/BRENT.md)

## Why it matters

The reaffirmed pause keeps supply from rising in the first quarter, supporting crude prices against a surplus. The option to return barrels later limits longer-term upside.

## Read by commodity

- WTI: neutral
- BRENT: neutral

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| WTI | 2026-08-03 | [OPEC 7 Decide to Boost Production Quota \| Rigzone](https://feedsoft.ai/events/17824-opec-7-decide-to-boost-production-quota-rigzone.md) | -7.5% | -1.7% |
| WTI | 2026-06-08 | [OPEC 7 Decide to Boost Production in July \| Rigzone](https://feedsoft.ai/events/18719-opec-7-decide-to-boost-production-in-july-rigzone.md) | -6.1% | -25.6% |
| WTI | 2025-02-05 | [MEED \| Opec+ decides to adhere to oil production policy](https://feedsoft.ai/events/25947-meed-opec-decides-to-adhere-to-oil-production-policy.md) | +0.9% | -8.8% |
| WTI | 2026-04-05 | [OPEC+ states adjust production, reaffirm commitment to market stability - Shana](https://feedsoft.ai/events/19613-opec-states-adjust-production-reaffirm-commitment-to-market-stability-shana.md) | -13.2% | -7.5% |
| WTI | 2023-03-16 | [OPEC to wait for calmer financial markets before making oil production cut decision](https://feedsoft.ai/events/36771-opec-to-wait-for-calmer-financial-markets-before-making-oil-production-cut.md) | +4.9% | +21.8% |
| BRENT | 2026-08-03 | [OPEC 7 Decide to Boost Production Quota \| Rigzone](https://feedsoft.ai/events/17824-opec-7-decide-to-boost-production-quota-rigzone.md) | -8.5% | -4.2% |
| BRENT | 2026-06-08 | [OPEC 7 Decide to Boost Production in July \| Rigzone](https://feedsoft.ai/events/18719-opec-7-decide-to-boost-production-in-july-rigzone.md) | -7.5% | -26.2% |
| BRENT | 2025-02-05 | [MEED \| Opec+ decides to adhere to oil production policy](https://feedsoft.ai/events/25947-meed-opec-decides-to-adhere-to-oil-production-policy.md) | +1.2% | -6.2% |

## Sources

- rigzone.com: https://www.rigzone.com/news/opec_8_reaffirm_decision_to_pause_production_hikes-05-jan-2026-182684-article/

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.