Vienna – While the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said Wednesday that global production levels had increased in April, it further lowered its demand projections for the year, owing to the ongoing economic downturn.

In April, global oil supply grew from the previous month for the first time since last October, to 83.55 million barrels per day (b/d), the Vienna-based group said in its latest market report. One barrel equals 158 litres.

Of the output increase of 286,000 b/d, 77 per cent came from OPEC member states.

OPEC lowered its demand figures yet again, predicting a decrease of 1.83 per cent to 84.03 million b/d for 2009, compared with minus 1.60 per cent stated in last month’s report.

Although the oil cartel acknowledged some recent improvement in confidence about the world economy, it said “the eventual recovery may be slower and weaker” than with previous crises.

The outbreak of swine flu was further decreasing demand for aviation fuel, OPEC said, as oil consumption was already weakened by high unemployment rates and lower production.

OPEC, which produces more than a third of the world’s crude oil, saw its basket price rise from 46.65 dollars per barrel at the end of March to 56.76 per barrel on Tuesday.

The group’s 12 oil ministers are scheduled to meet on May 28 in Vienna to discuss whether to maintain current output levels. (dpa)