# OPEC+ unexpectedly speeds up oil output hikes, oil drops | Reuters

> Eight OPEC+ countries unexpectedly agreed to increase output by 411,000 barrels per day in May, well above the expected 135,000 bpd. Brent dropped over 6% to below $70 a barrel after the decision, extending losses from tariff-driven declines.

- Date: 2025-04-03 · published 2025-04-03T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: policy · region Global · magnitude high
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/7293-opec-unexpectedly-speeds-up-oil-output-hikes-oil-drops-reuters
- Commodities: [Crude Oil (WTI)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/WTI.md), [Crude Oil (Brent)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/BRENT.md)

## Why it matters

A larger-than-expected supply increase from OPEC+ adds to oil surplus expectations, bearish for crude and energy-linked feed costs such as diesel and biofuel-linked demand.

## Read by commodity

- WTI: bearish ▼
- BRENT: bearish ▼

## Linked price moves

| Commodity | Date | Window | Change % | z-score | Why linked |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| BRENT | 2025-04-03 | 1 | -6.1% | -4.3 | The surprise OPEC+ decision to raise May output by 411k bpd versus 135k expected was a supply shock that pushed Brent below $70 on April 3. |
| BRENT | 2025-04-07 | 5 | -15.6% | -5.6 | The surprise OPEC+ decision to raise May output by 411k bpd versus 135k expected added a supply glut expectation and pushed Brent below $70. |
| WTI | 2025-04-07 | 5 | -15.5% | -4.6 | Surprise OPEC+ decision to raise May output by 411k bpd (vs 135k expected) was a direct supply shock that drove a >6% drop in oil. |
| BRENT | 2025-04-08 | 5 | -16.6% | -5.2 | The surprise OPEC+ increase of 411k bpd for May added supply expectations and pushed Brent below $70. |

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| WTI | 2025-10-05 | [Oil rises after OPEC+ hikes output less than expected \| Reuters](https://feedsoft.ai/events/22303-oil-rises-after-opec-hikes-output-less-than-expected-reuters.md) | -3.1% | +0.2% |
| WTI | 2025-05-04 | [EXCLUSIVE: OPEC+ to further speed up oil output hikes, sources say \| Reuters](https://feedsoft.ai/events/24604-exclusive-opec-to-further-speed-up-oil-output-hikes-sources-say-reuters.md) | +4.6% | +6.4% |
| WTI | 2021-09-01 | [Oil steadies; OPEC+ sticks to gradual output hikes \| Reuters](https://feedsoft.ai/events/44979-oil-steadies-opec-sticks-to-gradual-output-hikes-reuters.md) | +1.3% | +9.5% |
| WTI | 2024-09-26 | [OPEC+ set to go ahead with Dec oil output hike, sources say \| Reuters](https://feedsoft.ai/events/28237-opec-set-to-go-ahead-with-dec-oil-output-hike-sources-say-reuters.md) | +0.5% | +1.4% |
| WTI | 2025-10-05 | [OPEC+ opts for modest oil output hike as glut fears mount \| Reuters](https://feedsoft.ai/events/22302-opec-opts-for-modest-oil-output-hike-as-glut-fears-mount-reuters.md) | -3.1% | +0.2% |
| BRENT | 2025-10-05 | [Oil rises after OPEC+ hikes output less than expected \| Reuters](https://feedsoft.ai/events/22303-oil-rises-after-opec-hikes-output-less-than-expected-reuters.md) | -2.7% | -0.1% |
| BRENT | 2025-05-04 | [EXCLUSIVE: OPEC+ to further speed up oil output hikes, sources say \| Reuters](https://feedsoft.ai/events/24604-exclusive-opec-to-further-speed-up-oil-output-hikes-sources-say-reuters.md) | +4.3% | +6.8% |
| BRENT | 2021-09-01 | [Oil steadies; OPEC+ sticks to gradual output hikes \| Reuters](https://feedsoft.ai/events/44979-oil-steadies-opec-sticks-to-gradual-output-hikes-reuters.md) | -2.2% | +7.5% |

## Sources

- bloomberg.com: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-03/opec-stuns-oil-market-with-policy-switch-to-drive-down-prices
- cnbc.com: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/03/eight-opec-producers-accelerate-crude-oil-output-hikes-pushing-oil-prices-down-6percent-.html
- reuters.com: https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/opec-advance-oil-output-hike-plan-with-bigger-may-boost-2025-04-03/
- upi.com: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2025/04/03/Austria-OPEC-oil-production-boost/9481743694470/

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