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OPEC+ is pressing on with informal talks aimed at finalizing an agreement on oil output cuts this weekend, officials said.

OPEC+ will hold next month’s policy meeting online rather than in person, while several delegates said they expected the group to extend its current supply cuts into the second half of the year.

Oil will need to be closely watched in the coming months to ensure “a sound and sustainable market balance” during an expected surge in demand, OPEC said in its monthly oil market report.

OPEC+ chose to stick with oil supply cuts for the first half of the year, keeping global markets tight and potentially sending prices higher.

OPEC+ extended its oil supply cutbacks to the middle of the year in a bid to avert a global surplus and shore up prices.

Motor carriers can expect lower prices and less volatility at diesel pumps in 2024, according to experts. 

Supply is back in the driver’s seat for global crude markets, as rising production from non-OPEC+ nations including the U.S. may outstrip global demand that’s growing at a slower pace.

The OPEC oil cartel led by Saudi Arabia and allied producers including Russia made another big swipe at propping up lagging crude prices Nov. 30, expanding some output cuts into next year.

Ahead of the OPEC+ meeting on Nov. 30, there are indications oil supply is running ahead of demand, highlighting the challenge facing the cartel as it prepares to set output policy for 2024.

The diesel market is pricing in a crisis, one that soon could get even worse because of a lack of the type of crude that’s good for making the fuel.