Oil prices fall on rising Iraq output, doubt over producer talks

Oil prices fell about 1 percent on Monday as Iraq's production rose and Iran said it would only cooperate in producer talks to freeze output if fellow exporters recognised its right to fully regain market share.
International Brent crude oil futures were trading at USD 49.40 per barrel at 0145 GMT, down 52 cents, or 1.0 percent, from their previous close.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were down 58 cents, or 1.2 percent, at USD 47.06 a barrel.

Traders said the price falls were a result of climbing output from the Middle East, where oil exports from Iraq's southern ports have averaged 3.205 million barrels per day (bpd) in August, exceeding the average level seen in July, according to two officials from state-run South Oil Company. Exports in July averaged 3.202 million bpd.

Iran said late last week that it would only cooperate in upcoming producer talks in September if other exporters recognised Tehran's right to regain market share lost during international sanctions that were only lifted in January.

Analysts said disagreements within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and especially its key members Saudi Arabia and Iran, meant few expected a significant impact on global output from the talks.

"The market is increasingly likely to discount the outcome of the event, given, even in the instance of a freeze being agreed, compliance will be an issue," Barclays said.

Reuters commodity market analyst Wang Tao said that short-term technical indicators were also bearish, and that a drop to USD 48.52 per barrel was possible.

"Brent oil is expected to approach a support at USD 48.52 per barrel again, as its correction from the Aug. 19 high of USD 51.22 has not completed," he said.

Despite this, the Barclays said that it saw "incoming oil market data (both demand and supply) as a source for price strength in Q4".