Crude oil prices spiked upwards by 5% on London markets to day after Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed to discuss a move to freeze production at present levels.
But the market came off the boil when it realised that the announcement by their respective Energy ministers – Alexander Novak and Khalid al-Falih – would not lead to immediate action.
“Freezing production is one of the preferred possibilities. But it does not have to happen specifically today,” said al-Falih.
The price of Brent crude oil slipped back to end the day ahead 1% at $47.31-barrel.