Vienna : Saudi Arabia exported 8.1 million barrels a day (bpd) of oil in November, according to a senior Saudi industry source, 1.2 million more than its average daily exports during the first nine months of 2011.
Saudi Arabia exported an average of 6.9 million bpd in the nine-month period from January 1 to September 30, according to the latest official data published by the Joint Data Initiative (Jodi), as the kingdom helped make up for lost Libyan output in early 2011.
But the world's leading exporter boosted exports above eight million bpd ahead of tomorrow's Opec meeting in Vienna, after boosting crude production above 10 million bpd in November, compared to an average of 9.2 million bpd from January to September 2011, with exports supplemented by stocks.
So far there is little sign of the main buyers in Asia significantly increasing their Saudi crude buying in November and analysts have suggested the highest Saudi production figure for decades could be a signal to fellow Opec members that output should not be restricted when the group meets tomorrow, despite the uncertain global economic growth outlook.
Saudi Arabia boosted crude production to 9.8 million bpd in June, the highest level since Jodi records began in 2002.
