(Reuters) - Global spending on oilfield equipment and services this year will fall 21% from 2019 to $211 billion, the lowest level since 2005, according to a report to be released on Wednesday by consultancy Spears & Associates, as oil and gas producers slash spending. The decline comes as the coronavirus pandemic has crushed oil and gas demand, and Saudi Arabia and Russia pump full bore in a grab for market share that has shale producers reeling. U.S. oil futures fell 54% for the month of March, to $20.48 a barrel on Tuesday, below U.S. producers' cost of production. Spears' estimate for 2020 spending is below industry outlays at the nadir of the last price crash in 2016, and less than half the 2014 peak of $473 billion. The company, which surveys oilfield firms, evaluates company reports and models sales, historically has not publicly released its data, but the severity of the drop and debate over the industry's future made it change course, an executive said.

Source: International New York Times April 01, 2020 10:18 UTC