Fuel prices including that of diesel will go up in Qatar in February, the Ministry of Energy and Industry announced.

The Ministry of Energy & Industry said the 91-octane Premium gasoline will cost QR1.55 (QR1.50/litre now) and 95 Super QR1.65 (QR1.55 now) in February.

Diesel will cost QR1.50 a litre next month instead of QR1.45 a litre now.

What impact the fuel price hike has on consumer items remains to be seen as most of the goods are transported to Qatar from abroad.

Fuel prices in Qatar were allowed to fluctuate in response to changes in the global market from May 1.

Every month, a special committee comprising representatives from various government bodies, would review fuel prices (gasoline and diesel) and make recommendations on proposed prices for the local market accordingly.

The monthly revision in local fuel prices followed the government’s decision on fuel subsidy reforms in Qatar.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producers including Russia agreed to cut output by almost 1.8mn barrels per day (bpd) in the first half of 2017 to relieve a two-year supply overhang.

First indications of compliance to that deal show that members have cut production by 900,000 barrels per day (bpd) in January, according to Petro-Logistics, a company that tracks OPEC supply.

Oil prices have remained above $50 a barrel since producers agreed the deal in December, encouraging drillers in low-cost US shale producing regions to ramp up activity.

Meanwhile, oil prices fell on Monday as news of another weekly increase in US drilling activity spread concern over rising output just as many of the world's oil producers are trying to comply with a deal to pump less to try to prop up prices.

Global benchmark Brent crude oil prices were down 24 cents at $55.28 a barrel, while US crude futures traded down 25 cents at $52.92.

"Oil prices are down because of the rise in the US rig count," said Tamas Varga, analyst at PVM Oil Associates in London.

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