Russia hints at further talks with Saudi Arabia and OPEC

Russia has refused to rule out talks with OPEC to stabilize energy markets, according to reports, after oil prices registered their worst declines in almost 30 years on Monday.

International benchmark Brent crude traded at $37.45 Tuesday morning, up over 8%, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) stood at $34.05, around 9% higher.

It comes after Brent and WTI both dropped 24% on Monday, sinking to more than four-year lows.

The moves follow a breakdown in talks between the kingpin of oil-producing group OPEC, Saudi Arabia, and non-OPEC member Russia late last week.

Markets had been hoping for an agreement by both countries, and other oil producers, to curb oil output in an effort to bolster prices; their failure to agree led oil prices to crash on Monday.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said that Moscow had not ruled out measures with OPEC to stabilize oil markets, according to Interfax news agency.

Russia’s energy ministry has proposed to hold a meeting with Russian oil companies on Wednesday, Reuters reported, citing two unnamed sources.

They are expected to discuss whether to prolong Russia’s alliance with OPEC.

Last week, the 14-member group recommended additional production cuts of 1.5 million bpd starting in April and extending until the end of the year. But OPEC-ally Russia rejected the additional cuts when the broader energy alliance met on Friday.

The meeting concluded with no directive about the production cuts that are currently set to expire at the end of the month.

In response, Saudi Arabia announced massive discounts to its official selling prices for April, with state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco expected to ramp up production.

Riyadh currently pumps 9.7 million bpd but has the capacity to increase production up to 12.5 million bpd.