OPEC+ agreed on Sunday to raise oil production quotas for the second consecutive month, while warning that damage to energy infrastructure amid the ongoing conflicts could disrupt global supply, AFP reports.The oil cartel decided to increase production quotas by 206,000 barrels per day (bpd) from May, with major producers including Russia, Saudi Arabia and several Gulf countries supporting the move.However, OPEC+ warned that repairing damaged energy facilities in conflict zones is “expensive and takes a long time”, adding that such disruption could increase volatility in global oil markets.The group also stressed “the vital importance of securing international sea lanes to ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy.”Although the statement did not directly mention the Iran war, the ongoing conflict has significantly impacted global energy markets and contributed to a sharp rise in oil prices.Since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, Tehran has retaliated by targeting sites across the region, including key energy infrastructure.Iran has also effectively blocked shipping through the Strait of Hormuz by threatening to attack tankers passing without permission, severely restricting exports from the Gulf region.Before the conflict, about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments passed through the strait, making it a vital artery for global energy trade.The disruption has raised concerns over whether increased production by OPEC+ members can translate into actual supply reaching global markets.Meanwhile, Ukraine has also been targeting Russian oil facilities as part of its ongoing conflict with Moscow, further complicating global supply dynamics.Last month, the eight-member Voluntary Eight (V8) group of OPEC+ also increased production quotas by 206,000 bpd.In its statement, the V8 warned that “any actions that undermine energy supply security, whether through attacks on infrastructure or disruption of international sea routes, increase market volatility” and complicate efforts to manage global oil prices.The group – which includes Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman – also acknowledged members who managed to find alternative export routes, noting that such efforts have helped reduce market volatility.
