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OPEC World Oil Outlook 2025 (WOO 2025)

Publication: World Oil Outlook 2025 -- 2050 Publisher: Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC Secretariat) Date: July 2025 (launched at 9th OPEC International Seminar, Vienna) ISBN: 978-3-9505790-0-0 Secretary General: HE Haitham Al Ghais Pages: 328


Executive Summary -- Headline Findings

OPEC's core thesis: "There is no peak oil demand on the horizon." Oil demand reaches 122.9 mb/d by 2050, up from 103.7 mb/d in 2024 (+19.2 mb/d). Global oil industry investment requirements are $18.2 trillion through 2050. The combined share of oil and gas stays above 50% of primary energy mix through 2050.

Key policy context: OPEC emphasises the need for an "all-encompassing" approach -- no single fuel can be dismissed. The narrative of swiftly phasing out oil and gas is described as "unworkable, and a fantasy." Energy policies across major economies are undergoing "significant recalibration" with growing pushback against ambitious transition timelines.


1. Key Macro Assumptions

1.1 Demographics

Metric 2024 2050 Change
World population (bn) 8.2 9.7 +1.5 bn
Working-age population (bn) 5.3 6.1 +805 mn
Global urbanization rate 58% 68% +10 pp
Urban population (bn) 4.7 6.6 +1.9 bn

Regional working-age population changes 2024-2050 (mn): - Africa: +692 - Other Asia: +183 - India: +144 - Middle East: +74 - OECD Americas: +18 - China: -239 - OECD Europe: -47 - OECD Asia-Pacific: -27 - Russia: -13

1.2 Economic Growth

Metric Value
World GDP 2024 $171 trillion (2021 PPP)
World GDP 2050 $358 trillion (2021 PPP)
GDP growth (doubling) >100% over outlook period
Global average income 2024 ~$21,000
Global average income 2050 ~$37,100

Medium-term GDP growth rates (avg 2024-2030, % p.a.):

Region Growth Rate
India 6.4%
China 4.4%
Other Asia 4.2%
Non-OECD total 4.1%
Africa 3.4%
World 3.1%
Middle East 3.0%
Latin America 2.6%
Other Europe 2.1%
OECD Americas 2.0%
OECD total 1.7%
Russia 1.5%
OECD Europe 1.5%
OECD Asia-Pacific 1.3%

Long-term GDP growth rates -- see Table 1.6 in report for detailed projections beyond 2030.


2. Global Primary Energy Demand

2.1 Total Energy Demand: 308 to 378 mboe/d (+23%)

Table: World primary energy demand by fuel, 2024-2050 (mboe/d)

Fuel 2024 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 Growth 2024-2050 Share 2024 Share 2050
Oil 94.3 103.0 107.4 109.5 111.0 112.4 +18.2 30.6% 29.8%
Coal 81.8 77.5 71.5 64.8 58.0 51.4 -30.4 26.5% 13.6%
Gas 70.0 76.1 80.7 84.6 87.6 89.7 +19.7 22.7% 23.7%
Nuclear 14.9 16.9 18.8 20.8 22.9 24.9 +10.0 4.8% 6.6%
Renewables 47.4 59.0 69.5 79.6 89.3 99.4 +52.0 15.4% 26.3%
-- Hydro 7.8 8.6 9.3 9.9 10.7 11.6 +3.8 2.5% 3.1%
-- Biomass 29.0 31.3 33.2 34.8 35.8 36.6 +7.7 9.4% 9.7%
-- Other renewables (solar & wind) 10.6 19.1 27.1 34.9 42.8 51.1 +40.5 3.5% 13.5%
Total 308.4 332.6 347.9 359.3 369.0 377.8 +69.4 100% 100%

2.2 OECD Energy Demand (mboe/d)

Fuel 2024 2050 Growth Share 2024 Share 2050
Oil 39.1 31.1 -7.9 36.7% 29.2%
Coal 12.6 4.9 -7.8 11.9% 4.5%
Gas 30.2 29.0 -1.2 28.4% 27.2%
Nuclear 9.8 11.9 +2.1 9.2% 11.2%
Renewables 14.8 29.9 +15.1 13.9% 28.0%
-- Other renewables 5.2 17.0 +11.9 4.8% 15.9%
OECD Total 106.5 106.8 +0.3 - -

2.3 Non-OECD Energy Demand (mboe/d)

Fuel 2024 2050 Growth Share 2024 Share 2050
Oil 55.2 81.3 +26.1 27.3% 30.0%
Coal 69.2 46.5 -22.7 34.3% 17.2%
Gas 39.8 60.7 +20.9 19.7% 22.4%
Nuclear 5.2 13.0 +7.8 2.6% 4.8%
Renewables 32.6 69.5 +36.9 16.1% 25.6%
-- Other renewables 5.5 34.1 +28.6 2.7% 12.6%
Non-OECD Total 201.9 271.0 +69.0 - -

2.4 Electricity

  • Total electricity generation: 31,500 TWh (2024) to 57,500 TWh (2050), +80%
  • 75% of growth from developing countries; ~60% from developing Asia alone
  • Other renewables (solar/wind): 4,900 TWh (2024) to 26,000 TWh (2050)
  • Share of non-fossil fuels in power generation: 42% (2024) to 67.5% (2050)
  • Record 600 GW of renewable capacity installed in 2024 (up from 475 GW in 2023)
  • Data centres and AI contributing significantly to electricity demand growth (>4% in 2024)

3. Oil Demand -- Reference Case

3.1 Global Oil Demand: 103.7 to 122.9 mb/d

Medium-term: 103.7 mb/d (2024) to 113.3 mb/d (2030): +9.6 mb/d Long-term: 103.7 mb/d (2024) to 122.9 mb/d (2050): +19.2 mb/d

Table: Long-term oil demand by region (mb/d)

Region 2024 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 Growth 2024-2050
OECD Americas 24.9 25.7 25.5 24.3 23.0 21.9 -3.0
OECD Europe 13.5 13.6 12.7 11.6 10.6 9.8 -3.7
OECD Asia-Pacific 7.2 7.3 6.8 6.3 5.8 5.4 -1.8
OECD Total 45.7 46.6 45.0 42.2 39.5 37.2 -8.5
China 16.7 18.3 18.9 18.9 18.8 18.4 +1.8
India 5.6 7.3 8.9 10.5 12.1 13.7 +8.2
Other Asia 9.7 11.4 12.6 13.5 14.3 15.0 +5.3
Latin America 6.8 7.8 8.6 9.1 9.5 9.7 +3.0
Middle East 8.8 10.0 11.1 12.1 12.9 13.5 +4.7
Africa 4.6 5.2 6.0 6.9 7.8 8.8 +4.2
Russia 4.0 4.2 4.3 4.2 4.2 4.1 +0.1
Other Eurasia 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.6 +0.4
Other Europe 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.0
Non-OECD Total 58.0 66.7 72.8 77.8 82.1 85.7 +27.7
World 103.7 113.3 117.9 120.0 121.6 122.9 +19.2

3.2 Oil Demand by Sector (mb/d)

Sector 2024 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 Growth
Road transportation - - - - - - +5.3
Aviation - - - - - - +4.2
Petrochemicals 15.5 17.5 18.5 19.3 19.9 20.2 +4.7
Resid./Comm./Agr. 11.4 12.6 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.6 +2.3
Other industry 12.9 14.2 14.9 14.8 14.9 15.0 +2.0
Marine bunkers 4.3 4.8 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.2 +0.9
Rail/waterways 2.0 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.3 2.3 +0.3
Electricity generation 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.3 4.0 4.0 -0.5

Transportation accounts for >57% of global oil demand in 2024 and retains this share through 2050.

3.3 Oil Demand by Product (mb/d)

Product 2024 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 Growth
Ethane/LPG 14.7 16.3 17.0 17.5 17.9 18.3 +3.6
Naphtha 6.9 8.0 8.6 9.0 9.4 9.6 +2.7
Gasoline 27.2 28.9 29.6 29.9 30.1 30.3 +3.1
Light products 48.8 53.2 55.1 56.5 57.4 58.2 +9.4
Jet/kerosene 7.8 9.3 10.2 10.8 11.6 11.9 +4.1
Gasoil/diesel 28.7 31.0 32.3 32.6 32.7 33.1 +4.4
Middle distillates 36.5 40.3 42.4 43.4 44.3 45.1 +8.6
Residual fuel 6.9 7.6 7.8 7.7 7.5 7.4 +0.6
Other products 11.6 12.2 12.6 12.4 12.3 12.3 +0.7
Heavy products 18.4 19.8 20.3 20.1 19.8 19.7 +1.3
World total 103.7 113.3 117.9 120.0 121.6 122.9 +19.2

3.4 Vehicle Fleet Projections

  • Global vehicle fleet: 1.7 billion (2024) to 2.9 billion (2050)
  • ICE vehicles still account for ~72% of global fleet in 2050
  • EV sales have fallen behind initial expectations; projections revised downward
  • OECD EVs increase by 267 million, but ICE passenger vehicles decline by ~185 million
  • OECD total vehicles increase by ~108 million (2024-2050)
  • EU current emissions target: 93.6 g CO2/km, tightening to 49.5 g CO2/km by 2030
  • SAF provided <0.5% of global aviation fuel in 2024
  • EU ReFuelEU Aviation target: 70% SAF blend by 2050

4. Liquids Supply

4.1 Global Supply Outlook

Total global liquids supply rises from 102.4 mb/d (2024) to 123.0 mb/d (2050).

Non-DoC (non-Declaration of Cooperation) supply: 53.3 mb/d (2024) to 58.9 mb/d (2050), +5.6 mb/d DoC supply: 49.1 mb/d (2024) to 64.1 mb/d (2050), +15.0 mb/d

DoC share of global supply rises from 48% (2024) to 52% (2050).

4.2 Non-DoC Supply by Type (mb/d)

Type 2024 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 Change
Crude 32.1 34.9 34.3 32.9 31.4 29.8 -2.4
NGLs 11.1 12.8 13.1 13.3 13.3 13.4 +2.3
Biofuels 3.2 3.8 4.3 4.8 5.1 5.4 +2.1
Other liquids 4.2 4.6 5.0 5.5 6.1 6.9 +2.6
Refinery processing gains 2.5 2.9 3.1 3.2 3.4 3.5 +1.0
Total non-DoC 53.3 59.0 59.8 59.7 59.3 58.9 +5.6

4.3 Key Country Supply Outlooks

United States: - Peak at just over 23 mb/d in 2030; total non-DoC peak at ~60 mb/d in mid-2030s - US tight oil: 14.7 mb/d (2024) to peak 16.5 mb/d (2030), then declining to 14.8 mb/d (2050) - US & Canada need ~$250 billion p.a. average upstream investment

Brazil: - 4.2 mb/d (2024) to peak ~5.8 mb/d (late 2030s), still 5.7 mb/d by 2050 - 17 major FPSOs coming onstream, adding 2.9 mb/d gross capacity - Equatorial Margin could add 1.1 mb/d starting 2029 - Oil is Brazil's #1 export (13.3% of total exports, $44.8 bn in 2024)

Argentina: - 0.9 mb/d (2024) to 1.8 mb/d (2050); Vaca Muerta tight oil key driver - $3 bn Vaca Muerta South pipeline (550 tb/d, expandable to 700 tb/d) under construction

Canada: - Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion commissioned May 2024 (+590 tb/d to 890 tb/d total) - Further supply growth may require additional pipeline capacity

Qatar: - 1.9 mb/d (2024) to 2.4 mb/d (2030), 2.5 mb/d by 2050 - North Field gas expansion driving NGLs growth: 1.1 to 1.6 mb/d by 2030

China: - Total liquids flat ~4.6 mb/d medium-term; crude declining from 4.2 to 3.6 mb/d by 2050 - Biofuels/other liquids partially offsetting decline

India: - 0.8 mb/d (2024), peaking ~0.9 mb/d (2030), back to 0.8 mb/d (2050) - Ethanol blending target: 20% in gasoline by 2025-2026

4.4 Tight Oil Production (mb/d)

Country 2024 2030 2050 Change
US 14.7 16.5 14.8 +0.1
Canada 1.2 1.3 1.3 +0.1
Argentina 0.5 0.8 1.4 +0.9
China 0.3 0.3 0.5 +0.2
Total 16.7 19.0 18.1 +1.3

5. Investment Requirements

5.1 Total Oil Industry Investment: $18.2 Trillion (2025-2050)

Segment Cumulative ($ trn, 2025 real) Annual Average
Upstream $14.9 $574 bn p.a.
Downstream $2.0 ~$77 bn p.a.
Midstream $1.3 ~$50 bn p.a.
Total $18.2 $700 bn p.a.

5.2 Upstream Investment by Region

  • US & Canada: ~$250 bn p.a. average; largest regional share
  • DoC share: Rises from 25% of global upstream spending in 2025 to 40% by 2050
  • DoC: $120 bn p.a. (2025) rising to ~$240 bn p.a. (2050)
  • Other non-DoC: $90 bn p.a. (2025) rising to ~$150 bn p.a. (2050)

5.3 Downstream Investment Breakdown

Category Amount
Refinery capacity expansions >$600 bn
Maintenance & capital replacement (2025-2050) ~$1.4 tn
Medium-term new projects ~$194 bn

Medium-term downstream investment by region: - Other Asia-Pacific: $76 bn - Middle East: >$40 bn - Africa: >$40 bn - China: >$36 bn - Russia & Caspian: ~$15 bn - Latin America: ~$12 bn

Post-2030 downstream investment requirements: - Other Asia-Pacific: >$92 bn - China, Middle East, Africa: ~$60 bn each - Latin America: ~$40 bn - US & Canada: ~$30 bn - Russia & Caspian: ~$30 bn - Europe: <$7 bn


6. Refining Outlook

6.1 Existing Capacity

  • Global distillation capacity (Jan 2025): 102.5 mb/d
  • ~1 mb/d new capacity came online in 2024 (Dangote/Nigeria, Yulong/China, Visakhapatnam/India)
  • 2024 closures: 0.33 mb/d (vs 1.2 mb/d avg 2020-2023)
  • NDRC capped China refining at 20 mb/d by 2025

Base capacity by region (mb/d, atmospheric distillation):

Region Capacity
US & Canada 19.6
Other Asia-Pacific 18.9
China 17.8
Europe 14.8
Middle East 11.5
Latin America 8.0
Russia & Caspian 7.9
Africa 3.9
World 102.5

6.2 Medium-Term Capacity Additions (2025-2030): 5.8 mb/d

Region Additions (mb/d) Share
Other Asia-Pacific 2.2 37.4%
China 1.0 17.7%
Middle East 1.0 17.2%
Africa 1.2 20.5%
Latin America 0.2 3.4%
US & Canada 0.1 1.5%
Russia & Caspian 0.1 1.6%
Europe 0.0 0.8%
World 5.8 100%

90% of additions in developing regions (Asia-Pacific, Africa, Middle East).

6.3 Long-Term Refining Additions: 19.5 mb/d (2025-2050)

  • 2025-2030: 5.8 mb/d
  • 2030-2035: 7.3 mb/d
  • 2035-2040: ~3 mb/d
  • 2040-2045: ~2.2 mb/d
  • 2045-2050: ~1.2 mb/d

~70% of additions materialize before 2035. ~86% located in Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Middle East.

6.4 Utilization & Throughputs

  • Global utilization: 80.4% (2024) to 83.3% (2030)
  • Global runs: 82.4 mb/d (2024) to 89.6 mb/d (2030) to 94.7 mb/d (2040) to ~96 mb/d (2050)
  • Downstream market deficit: rises from ~0.5 mb/d (2027) to ~1.6 mb/d (2030)
  • Medium-term closures: ~1 mb/d; post-2030 closures: up to 4 mb/d (mostly developed regions)

6.5 Secondary Capacity Requirements (2025-2050)

Process Additions (mb/d)
Desulphurization 20.4
Conversion (FCC/coking/hydrocracking) 11.2
Octane units 6.3

7. Oil Trade / Movements

7.1 Global Trade Volumes

Year Crude & Condensate (mb/d) Products (mb/d) Total (mb/d)
2024 36.8 18.0 ~55
2030 41.7 ~20 >61
2035 - - ~66
2040 46.5 - 67.5
2050 47.3 >21 68.5

Global trade grows by ~25% by 2050.

7.2 Key Trade Routes

Middle East exports: - 17.4 mb/d (2024) to 28.2 mb/d (2050) crude & condensate - >80% shipped to Asia-Pacific by 2050 - ME to Asia-Pacific: 15.2 mb/d (2024) to 23.5 mb/d (2050) = 50% of global crude trade in 2050

Latin America exports: 4.4 mb/d (2024) to 6.7 mb/d (2050) US & Canada exports: 4.1 to 5.3 mb/d (2030), then declining to 3.3 mb/d (2050) Africa exports: ~5.2 mb/d stable to 2035, declining to 4.2 mb/d (2050) due to domestic use Europe imports: declining from 9.1 mb/d (2024) to 7.8 mb/d (2050) Asia-Pacific imports: 24.2 mb/d (2024) to 34.1 mb/d (2050)

  • Average API gravity: 33.6 deg in 2024, declining gradually thereafter
  • Average sulphur content trending higher as global crude slate becomes heavier
  • Driven by rising heavy supply from Canada, Latin America, Middle East; declining light US supply

8. Energy Scenarios

8.1 Reference Case (baseline)

  • Oil demand: 122.9 mb/d by 2050
  • Total energy: 377.8 mboe/d by 2050
  • Oil/gas combined share >50% through 2050

8.2 Technology-Driven Scenario (TDS)

  • Accelerated technology investment in EVs, efficiency, fuel substitution
  • Oil demand gap vs Reference Case: ~5 mb/d by 2035, expanding to 16.7 mb/d by 2050
  • Oil demand in TDS: under 107 mb/d by 2050
  • Non-OECD demand still ~75 mb/d (plateaus); ~9 mb/d below Reference Case
  • OECD sees deeper demand cuts

8.3 Equitable Growth Scenario (EGS)

  • More equitable economic development for developing countries
  • Differentiated approach to emission reduction timelines
  • Oil demand: 120 mb/d by 2035; 130 mb/d by 2050
  • +3 mb/d vs Reference Case by 2035; +6.5 mb/d by 2050

8.4 Range of Oil Demand Outcomes in 2050

Scenario 2050 Oil Demand (mb/d)
Technology-Driven <107
Reference Case 122.9
Equitable Growth ~130

9. OPEC's View on Energy Transition

Key positions articulated in the WOO 2025:

  1. No peak oil demand: OPEC sees continued growth to 122.9 mb/d by 2050 in Reference Case
  2. History of energy is additions, not subtractions: The world consumes more of every fuel than ever before
  3. Oil/gas share resilient: Combined share ~80% in 1960 vs ~80% in 2024 despite 5x consumption growth
  4. Phase-out narrative rejected: Described as "unworkable, and a fantasy" -- policymakers increasingly recognising this
  5. Energy access imperative: Billions still lack energy access; developing world drives nearly all growth
  6. Investment critical: $18.2 tn needed; shortfalls could impact market stability and energy security
  7. Emissions reduction through technology: CCUS, direct air capture, circular carbon economy -- not fuel abandonment
  8. EV adoption stalling: Sales behind expectations, policies being revised (UK delayed ICE ban to 2035, EU pushback)
  9. SAF challenges: <0.5% of aviation fuel in 2024; cost/scalability barriers significant
  10. Renewables facing headwinds: Grid integration, permitting, financing costs, intermittency challenges; Spain/Portugal blackout cited

10. Focus on Brazil (Chapter 8)

  • GDP: $4.1 tn (2024 PPP), 7th largest economy
  • Population: 212 mn, 87% urbanized
  • Oil industry: 17.2% of industrial GDP, 1.6 million jobs
  • Oil = top export: $44.8 bn (13.3% of total), China buys ~44%
  • Primary energy demand: 6.5 mboe/d (2024) to 9.8 mboe/d (2050), +50%
  • Oil demand: 3.4 mb/d (2024) to 4.8 mb/d (2050), +40%
  • Total liquids production: doubled to 4.2 mb/d (2010-2024); peak ~5.8 mb/d (late 2030s)
  • 18 refineries, 2.4 mb/d installed capacity
  • 49% of primary energy and ~90% of electricity from renewables
  • COP30 presidency in 2025; $1.3 tn/year climate finance target by 2035

11. Key Data for Investment Decision-Making

Critical Numbers for Crude Oil Industry Chain Analysis

Parameter Value
2024 global oil demand 103.7 mb/d
2030 global oil demand 113.3 mb/d
2050 global oil demand (Ref Case) 122.9 mb/d
2050 global oil demand (TDS low) <107 mb/d
2050 global oil demand (EGS high) ~130 mb/d
Demand growth 2024-2030 +9.6 mb/d
Demand growth 2024-2050 +19.2 mb/d
India incremental demand 2024-2050 +8.2 mb/d (largest single contributor)
OECD demand decline 2024-2050 -8.5 mb/d
Non-OECD demand growth 2024-2050 +27.7 mb/d
Non-DoC supply peak ~60 mb/d (mid-2030s)
US tight oil peak 16.5 mb/d (2030)
DoC required supply growth +15.0 mb/d (2024-2050)
Total investment needed 2025-2050 $18.2 tn
Upstream investment annual avg $574 bn
Global refinery capacity (Jan 2025) 102.5 mb/d
Required refining additions to 2050 19.5 mb/d
Global oil trade 2050 68.5 mb/d (+25% vs 2024)
ME-to-Asia crude route share 2050 50% of global trade
Vehicle fleet growth 1.7 bn to 2.9 bn
ICE share of fleet in 2050 ~72%
Petrochemical demand growth +4.7 mb/d
Gasoline demand 2050 30.3 mb/d (+3.1 vs 2024)
Diesel demand 2050 33.1 mb/d (+4.4 vs 2024)
Jet/kerosene demand 2050 11.9 mb/d (+4.1 vs 2024)

Supply-Demand Gap Implication

After non-DoC supply plateaus around 60 mb/d in the mid-2030s, all incremental supply must come from DoC producers. DoC liquids must rise from 49.1 mb/d to 64.1 mb/d -- a 15 mb/d increase representing the structural call on OPEC+ capacity. This is the single most important structural feature of the long-term oil market according to this outlook.