OPEC raised its medium- and long-term forecasts for oil output Tuesday but warned that uncertainty over energy and environmental policy was confusing the picture and could affect investment. By 2015, global oil demand was expected to reach 92.9 million barrels per day (mbpd), up from the 91 mbpd given in last year's World Oil Outlook report. In the longer-term, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries forecast demand at 109.7 million bpd in 2035, up 23 mbpd from 2010. Last year's long-term prediction extended as far as 2030. The world economy recovered faster than predicted in last year's report, thanks to stimulus packages and the contribution of developing countries. However, the pace of recovery was slowing again with potentially major repercussions on oil demand, OPEC warned. As states develop strategies to combat climate change and push for renewable energy, the picture was also becoming increasingly unpredictable and this could deter investors, said the cartel, which pumps some 40 percent of the world's oil. Biofuels especially were seen as a “wildcard,” while policies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce energy consumption presented new uncertainties. “The energy and environmental policies of consuming countries ... offer a hazy picture of their impact on future oil consumption, supply levels and overall energy demand,” OPEC secretary-general Abdullah El-Badri said in the report. “Confidence is key ... It would be a damaging waste of resources to invest in capacity that is not needed,” he added. By 2035, global oil demand growth will be driven almost entirely by countries outside the OECD group of developed economies, the report noted. Unrest in the Middle East and northern Africa, Japan's nuclear disaster in March and global economic troubles meanwhile created challenges this year but the oil markets adjusted accordingly. “Once again, this demonstrates the resilience of oil markets and the fact that oil is a reliable source of energy for meeting the world's energy needs,” El-Badri said. Nuclear energy on the other hand took a hard hit with the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in March. “The prospects for nuclear energy have clearly been affected by this year's devastating accident at the Fukushima nuclear plant” and even looking ahead, “it is assumed that the long-term prospects for nuclear power have been negatively affected,” OPEC said. OPEC oil supply was expected to rise by 34 percent over the next 25 years, to 39.3 mbpd in 2035 from 29.3 mbpd in 2010, the report said, but OPEC's share of total world production will remain roughly unchanged. Oil prices are above $96 per barrel Tuesday as tensions rise over Iran's nuclear program and OPEC boosts its demand forecast. Benchmark crude rose 56 cents to $96.08 per barrel in morning trading in New York. Benchmark oil hasn't traded above $96 in more than three months. Brent crude rose $1.22 to $115.78 per barrel in London. Prices rose as Iran's president vowed to press ahead with the country's nuclear program. The United Nations is expected to report this week that Iran has been studying nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, OPEC boosted its medium-term forecast for global oil demand to 92.9 million barrels per day by 2015, up 1.9 million barrels from the previous forecast. Crude has jumped from $75 on Oct. 4, when hopes grew that Europe will be able to at least temporarily contain its sovereign debt crisis.
