Several OPEC+ sources told Reuters that Saudi Arabia kept its proposal to deep cut its oil output a secret during a weekend of OPEC+ discussions in Vienna, with several member nations only learning about it at the final news conference.

Saudi Arabia is the leading OPEC producer and has the most flexibility to increase or decrease output, giving it unrivaled control over the oil market. However, its plans have had little effect on prices so far.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Energy Minister, has utilized surprise to manage oil markets, which have been under pressure due to concerns about the world economy and demand.

Days before the OPEC+ conference, Prince Abdulaziz warned short sellers to watch out. The “Saudi lollipop” output decrease was disclosed following the conference.

Four OPEC+ sources, who were part of their nations’ delegations in policy negotiations, said they only learned about the Saudi cut at the Sunday evening news conference and that it wasn’t discussed during a weekend of talks on a broader supply-limiting arrangement beyond 2024.

“No additional cut information was shared prior to the press conference,” one of the four people claimed. “Another surprise.”

Saudi Arabia announced it would decrease output by 10% or 1 million barrels per day (bpd) to 9 million bpd in July and may extend cutbacks if needed. OPEC+ agreed to extend cuts beyond 2024 but not 2023.

OPEC+, led by Russia, pumps 40% of global crude. OPEC+ decreased its 2024 production target and prolonged the April voluntary cuts to 2024.

Abu Dhabi has been growing its output capacity and and is upset that the United Arab Emirates got a bigger output allotment.

The Saudi Energy Ministry and OPEC’s Vienna headquarters declined to comment.

Two other OPEC+ sources suggested more cutbacks in the days running up to the June 4 summit, but this did not advance in Vienna.

Other OPEC+ sources claimed Saudi Arabia knew it would be hard to get cutbacks from the UAE and Russia, unwilling to decrease output in the days before the meeting.

“The Saudis were cognizant this time they could not push the others,” an OPEC+ source added. “The UAE are happy with the new quota and it is a big relief for the Saudis.”

After protracted talks, Saudi Arabia convinced other OPEC+ members, like Nigeria and Angola, to accept lower 2024 production objectives due to capacity constraints.

After the conference, Prince Abdulaziz told Al Arabiya that the group was tired of giving quotas to countries that couldn’t produce them and that Russia needed to be honest about its productivity and exports.

OPEC+ sources claimed the new targets for Angola and Nigeria were still greater than they could pump, so they did not have to cut.

Russia, whose exports have held up despite Western sanctions, escaped a further cut.

Saudi Arabia may have suggested a voluntary cut to Russian or African authorities to convince them to reach a bigger arrangement.

However, if the Saudi cut raises prices, all those producers will benefit from maintaining or increasing output.

One OPEC+ source said the Saudi cut might offer the kingdom greater leverage in coming months to push countries who aren’t cutting output but profit from others’ cuts.

“To avoid free rider behaviour, Saudi Arabia could threaten to put 1 million bpd back on the market within 30 days, which would lead to a drop in prices,” another OPEC+ source added. He did not specify which nations.

The Saudi strategy has raised oil prices marginally. Brent crude rose beyond $77 on Thursday after Friday’s finish above $76.

“Saudi cuts are playing second fiddle to worries about the state of the global economy,” said oil broker Stephen Brennock. Thus, betting against a price rise requires courage.