Saudi Energy Minister to Meet Russian, Qatari Counterparts Ahead of OPEC Meeting

The Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al-Faleh will meet his Russian and Qatari counterparts ahead of a crucial meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member states on oil output freeze, media reported.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Al-Faleh is set to meet Russia’s Alexander Novak and Qatar’s Mohammed Saleh Al Sada on Thursday on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in the Qatari capital Doha, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the Saudi minister's plans.

In late September, the OPEC member states reached a preliminary deal to set the oil output ceiling at 32.5-33 million barrels a day for the whole cartel. The OPEC countries are set to finalize the agreement on oil output freeze at the OPEC summit in Vienna on November 30.

Some non-OPEC oil-producing countries, including Russia, have stated that they would consider joining the freeze deal.

The move has been driven by plunging oil prices and an oversupply in the global energy market.