The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently released its forecast for OPEC’s crude oil production in 2026, projecting an average daily output of 33.76 million barrels. While this represents a modest increase from the 2025 projection of 33.64 million barrels, it underscores a broader trend of gradual growth rather than dramatic expansion. For oil-exporting nations like Azerbaijan, these projections are not merely statistics; they are crucial indicators for economic planning, investment strategies, and long-term fiscal stability.