石油輸出國組織(OPEC，簡稱歐佩克)本週將尋求全球幾個最大的石油消費國的保證，要求它們保證維持其需求。目前，歐佩克各成員國正面臨著加大產能方面投資的.巨大壓力。
Opec will this week seek assurances from some of the world’s biggest oil consumers that they will maintain their demand as the members of the oil cartel come under intense pressure to boost investment in production capacity.
歐佩克將在本週末舉行的利雅得峰會上發出上述呼籲，這有可能推高長期石油價格。目前投資者擔心，面對諸如中國和印度等國日益上升的需求，歐佩克未必會進行足夠的投資，以應對消費需求。
The call, to be made at a summit of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in Riyadh this weekend, could boost long-term prices as investors worry the oil cartel will not invest enough to meet consumption in the face of growing demand from the likes of China and India.
此次會議僅僅是歐佩克成立47年以來的第三次峰會。目前，油價朝著每桶100美元的創紀錄水平疾升，根據美國政府的最新資料，歐佩克今年的原油收入料將升至6580億美元，較2006年增長近9%。據歐佩克方面的訊息，預計峰會上將發表一份宣言，重點闡述“供應安全和需求安全之間的關係”。
The summit – only the third in Opec’s 47-year history – comes as oil prices race towards a record $100 a barrel and with Opec crude oil revenues set to rise to $658bn this year, an increase of almost 9 per cent from 2006, according to the latest US government figures. The summit is expected to issue a declaration that will highlight the “relationship between security of supply and security of demand”, according to Opec sources.
各石油消費國，特別是美國和歐洲國家，正投資於其它替代能源，比如生物燃料和核能，同時投資於節能措施，以降低其對原油的依賴，並對抗全球暖化。
Consumer countries, in particular the US and in Europe, are investing in alternative sources of energy, such as biofuels and nuclear power, and energy-saving measures to reduce their dependency on crude oil and combat global warming.
一些歐佩克國家擔心在其開始擴大產能之際，上述舉措會危及未來的原油需求。一位歐佩克方面的訊息來源在談及宣告草案時表示：“此項宣言旨在從歐佩克立場出發，闡明石油關係。”
Some Opec countries are worried such moves could jeopardise future demand just as they embark on expansion plans. “The declaration will be a statement on oil relations as seen by Opec,” said one cartel source, referring to a draft of the statement.
作為西方國家能源監督機構的國際能源機構(International Energy Agency)上週警告稱，2015年前可能發生“供應危機”。
The International Energy Agency, the western countries’ energy watchdog, warned last week about the risk of a “supply crunch” before 2015.
不過，沙烏地阿拉伯將利用此次峰會強調其已提高了石油產能。該國將從下月開始每日增產50萬桶原油，這是其投資800億美元、從而在2009年底前將產量提高到每日1250萬桶計劃的一部分。
However, Saudi Arabia will use the occasion to stress it has raised its production capacity, with an extra 500,000 barrels a day arriving next month as part of an $80bn investment to reach 12.5m b/d by the end of 2009.
沙特石油部長阿里納伊米(Ali Naimi)稱，該國已確立了一些專案，以便在中期內將日產量提高至1500萬桶。
Ali Naimi, Saudi oil minister, has said the country has identified projects for further increases to 15m b/d in the medium term.