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A-LevelEconomicsThe price system and the microeconomy9708/23 · May/June 2019 · Q120 Marks

Section A Answer this question. Difficult times for OPEC and Nigeria The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has 13 members and produces over 30 million barrels of oil a day, responsible for half of global production. Its members, strongly influenced by Saudi Arabia, seek to limit the supply of oil in order to sustain stable prices to aid their own economic development. OPEC members have become concerned about the increase in oil production in the United States (US) due to the use of fracking (a new technique for extracting oil) and its impact on world oil prices and OPEC's own market share. In 2014, OPEC decided to increase its own supply of oil in a bid to bankrupt higher-cost US producers. The effects were remarkable. A 12% increase in OPEC's production saw the world price fall by around 60% to less than US30 per barrel. This was much lower than US producers' costs but it led to a 45% cut in OPEC's oil revenue. In late 2016, it was clear that governments in OPEC countries were suffering from reduced oil revenues. There was also growing evidence that US oil producers had been able to cut costs to remain competitive with OPEC, even though the world price was still well below US50 per barrel. This was thought to be the minimum price for producing oil in the US. In a surprising change of policy, OPEC decided to cut its oil production by 3%. The result was a 10% increase in the world price of oil. Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa. It produces around 8% of OPEC's total oil supply which accounts for over 80% of Nigeria's export revenue. Nigeria's economy has been seriously affected by OPEC's decision to increase supply on the world market. Its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a measure of total national output, has continued to fall along with oil output. The slowdown in the economy has affected taxation paid to the government. In addition import restrictions have been put in place to try to offset a severe shortage of foreign currency. Source: Sunday Telegraph 4 December 2016 Fig. 1.1 and Fig. 1.2 show the changes in Nigeria's crude oil production and the relative changes in oil output from 2015 to 2016. [Figure 1.1] [Figure 1.2]

  1. (a)Describe, using Fig. 1.1, the change in oil production in Nigeria between 2015 and 2016.[2]
  2. (b)Compare, using supply and demand diagrams, how OPEC's decisions affected the world price of oil in 2014 and in 2016.[4]
  3. (c)'The demand for OPEC's oil is price inelastic.' What evidence is there in the information to support this claim?[2]
  4. (d)Fig. 1.2 shows that production in Nigeria's oil sector declined sharply from Q1 of 2016. During this period, total national output for Nigeria fell by an annual rate of only around 2%. What can be inferred from this about the relative importance of the non-oil sectors in Nigeria?[2]
  5. (e)Analyse, using aggregate demand and aggregate supply, two likely effects of OPEC's policies on the economy of Nigeria.[4]
  6. (f)Discuss, with the help of the information, the extent to which OPEC will be able to control the world price of oil.[6]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [1] Oil production has fallen over the period
  2. [1] From around 2.2 million barrels to around 1.6 million barrels
  3. [1] The most rapid fall was between quarter 1 and quarter 2 in 2016
  4. [Up to 2] For an accurate diagram that shows the increase in the supply of oil in 2014 and the fall in price.
  5. [Up to 2] For an accurate diagram that shows the decrease in the supply of oil in 2016 and the rise in price.
  6. [Guidance] In 2014, OPEC's policy has been to increase its supply of oil on the world market. This can be represented by a shift to the right of the world supply curve, producing a new equilibrium position with a lower price but an increase in the quantity of oil traded.
  7. [Guidance] In 2016, OPEC decided to reduce supply. This can be shown with a shift to the left of the world supply curve, leading to a fall in supply and a rise in the world price.
  8. [Guidance] Two correct diagrams or a combined diagram is acceptable.
  9. [1] Fall in world price (of 60%) and fall in OPEC oil revenue (of 45%)
  10. [1] This means that since the % fall in price must be greater than the % rise in quantity demanded and the price must be inelastic
  11. [1] For a comparison of the change in oil sector output and the non-oil sector output
  12. [1] For the correct conclusion that the non oil sector is relatively more important
  13. [Guidance] The data refers to a fall in GDP and an economic slowdown due to the increase in 2015 and up to Q3 in 2016. The fall in non oil growth rate is not as severe as for oil growth. This would indicate that the non oil sector is of much greater economic importance for the economy.(The non oil sector is responsible for around 90% of output)
  14. [Guidance] If a candidate develops an explanation that this might not be the case, for example through the multiplier effect, then 2 marks can be awarded if the explanation is valid.
  15. [Guidance] From 2014 to 2016 OPEC increased the supply of oil and reduced price.
  16. [Guidance] In late 2016 OPEC reduced the supply of oil and increased price.
  17. [Up to 2] For explaining the likely effects on Nigeria of OPEC's policy of increasing supply and reducing price
  18. [Up to 2] For explaining the likely effects on Nigeria of OPEC's policy of cutting supply and increasing price
  19. [Guidance] Reward valid use of AD/AS analysis.
  20. [Guidance] Reference to two policies is essential for full marks.
  21. [1] For an explanation of how OPEC can influence the world price of oil with reference to the data.
  22. [Up to 4] For an explanation of any factors that undermine OPEC's influence on the world price of oil
  23. [1] For evaluative comment on the extent to which OPEC can control the price
  24. [Guidance] The data states that OPEC produces half of the global production of oil. By varying the volume of production it can influence the market price. On the other hand OPEC's market power is constrained by a number of factors. These include the rise of oil production in the US through 'fracking' and the need for government revenues amongst OPEC member countries.

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About this question

Topic
The price system and the microeconomy, A-Level Economics (syllabus 9708). Structured question, 20 marks.
Source
A-Level Economics, May/June 2019 Paper 2 Variant 3, question 1.

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