Oil prices could fall again by the end of the year due to a rapid increase in U.S. shale production, the CEO of French oil and gas giant Total SA (NYSE: TOT) said April 20.
Crude has recovered from lows reached in January 2016 and has mostly hovered above $50 a barrel since the beginning of the year following an agreement by OPEC to cut production.
"The price may fall again ... U.S. producers who have recovered quickly, will regenerate an influx of supply by the end of the year and this could have a negative impact on the markets," Patrick Pouyanne said during a conference in Paris.
U.S. shale oil producers are planning to expand production following the rebound in prices.
"The OPEC agreement is in place and working very well," Pouyanne said. "I think it [OPEC agreement] will be extended, but in simple terms, the short-term effect on the markets is not immediate because stocks are extremely high."
RELATED: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Signal Likely Extension Of Oil Output Cuts
Pouyanne said it will take another 18 to 24 months, rather than six months, for demand to outstrip supply.
Oil prices regained some ground on April 20 after steep losses the previous day, as Kuwait said it expected the OPEC-led effort to cut supplies would be extended beyond the middle of the year.
Total has U.S. shale gas operations in the Barnett Shale in Texas and the Utica Shale in Ohio, according to the company's website.
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