News Release

OPEC Returns to Defense Mode

byEnverus

Realizing the recession risk, storage is filling and demand expectations downgraded

Calgary, Alberta (October 4, 2022) — Enverus Intelligence Research (EIR), a subsidiary of Enverus, the most trusted energy-dedicated SaaS platform, has released its latest Macro Forecaster, a report that looks at near-term oil and gas balances, recession risks, the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war and the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on Chinese oil demand.

“OPEC’s decision to roll back its tiny September supply increase in October indicates it is back in price defense mode as demand expectations are downgraded,” said Bill Farren-Price, report author and a director at EIR.

Looking at the European gas market, the report noted that European total gas storage has surpassed its 80% November fill target. Enverus forecasts it could be more than 90% by November.

Key takeaways the report:

  • Total U.S. annual demand averaged 19.6 MMbbl/d for the past four weeks ended Sept. 16, off 7% from the same period in pre-pandemic 2019. Similarly, Chinese demand declined Q/Q for the first time in history primarily due to continued COVID-19 challenges. Slow demand recovery supports Enverus’ view that global oil demand will remain below pre-pandemic levels until 2023.
  • In gas markets, if EU countries are successful in maintaining the targeted 15% demand reduction from August to March, Enverus predicts winter stock levels will be sufficient to keep gas flowing through the winter with average temperatures.
  • U.S. natural gas storage inventories are 332 Bcf below the five-year average. Enverus expects injections to outpace the five-year rate to close this deficit to ~150 Bcf by the end of summer.

Members of the media should contact Jon Haubert to schedule an interview with one of Enverus’ expert analysts.

About Enverus
Enverus is the most trusted, energy-dedicated SaaS platform, offering real-time access to analytics, insights and benchmark cost and revenue data sourced from our partnerships to 98% of U.S. energy producers, and more than 35,000 suppliers. Our platform, with intelligent connections, drives more efficient production and distribution, capital allocation, renewable energy development, investment and sourcing, and our experienced industry experts support our customers through thought leadership, consulting and technology innovations. We provide intelligence across the energy ecosystem: renewables, oil and gas, financial institutions, and power and utilities, with more than 6,000 customers in 50 countries. Learn more at Enverus.com

About Enverus Intelligence Research
Enverus Intelligence Research, Inc. is a subsidiary of Enverus and publishes energy-sector research that focuses on the oil and natural gas industries and broader energy topics including publicly traded and privately held oil, gas, midstream and other energy industry companies, basin studies (including characteristics, activity, infrastructure, etc.), commodity pricing forecasts, global macroeconomics and geopolitical matters.

Media Contact: Jon Haubert | 303.396.5996

Picture of Enverus

Enverus

Energy’s most trusted SaaS platform — creating intelligent connections that uncover insights and opportunities to deliver extraordinary outcomes.

Related News

The Binding Constraint From EUV Machines to Megawatts
News Release
ByJon Haubert

About Enverus Intelligence® Research Enverus Intelligence ® | Research, Inc. (EIR) is a subsidiary of Enverus that publishes energy-sector research focused on the oil, natural gas, power and renewable industries. EIR publishes reports including asset and company valuations, resource assessments,...

Time-to-power gap Big generation’s Achilles’ heel in the AI data center race
News Release
ByJon Haubert

AI-driven data center demand is shifting power markets as faster-to-deploy distributed solutions outpace grid infrastructure; Enverus details the time-to-power gap.

Northern Bets On Canada with Parallax Stake
Analyst Takes News Release
ByAndrew Dittmar

Enverus analysts break down Northern Oil and Gas’ Parallax stake and what it reveals about cross-border capital flows and Canada’s competitive energy assets.

Qatari LNG outage shifts global gas market into structural deficit
News Release
ByJon Haubert

Qatari LNG supply disruptions could shift global gas markets into a structural deficit through 2030, with elevated TTF and JKM pricing, intensified Europe-Asia LNG competition and increased strategic value for Pacific-facing export projects, according to Enverus Intelligence® Research.

U.S. electrification will add 24 GW of power load by 2035
News Release
ByJon Haubert

U.S. electrification will add ~24 GW of power load by 2035, led by industrial demand and heating transitions, with growth concentrated in PJM, MISO and NYISO, according to Enverus.

U.S. upstream M&A hits $38 billion in 1Q26 before volatility temporarily pauses the market
News Release
ByJon Haubert

U.S. upstream M&A reached $38 billion in 1Q26 before volatility slowed activity, with Enverus Intelligence® Research expecting higher oil prices to drive a rebound. The outlook points to increased private sales, continued corporate consolidation and sustained influence from international and...

EIR maintains higher for longer oil outlook as markets catch up
News Release
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research maintains its higher-for-longer oil outlook, holding its $95/bbl Brent forecast for 2026 and $100/bbl for 2027 as markets begin to align with its earlier call. The latest Fundamental Edge report highlights ongoing geopolitical risk and supply disruption...

EVOLVE 2026 Taking insight to execution in seconds with Enverus ONE®
News Release
ByJon Haubert

EVOLVE 2026 brought energy leaders to Houston to explore how Enverus ONE® uses AI to move from insight to execution. The conference showcased unified data, research and workflows across the energy value chain.

Continental Resources, BPX Energy, Chord Energy and Ranger Energy Services Team with Enverus to Build Field Safety Platform on Enverus ONE™
News Release
ByJon Haubert

Continental Resources, BPX Energy, Chord Energy and Ranger Energy Services are partnering with Enverus to develop LifeSaver, a field safety platform on Enverus ONE designed to deliver job-specific guidance at the point of work, with pilots planned during 2026.

Find Out How Enverus Can Help Your Business
Subscribe to the Energy Blog

A weekly update on the latest “no-fluff” insight and analysis of the energy industry.

Let’s get started!

We’ll follow up right away to show you a quick product tour.

Let’s get started!

We’ll follow up right away to show you a quick product tour.

Get Started

Sign up for our Blog

Ready to Subscribe?

Ready to Get Started?