Annual oil demand from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) would rise 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd), a study released by Saudi Economic Survey said Thursday.

Oil demand from OPEC would increase to 36.3 million bpd by 2005 and to 42.6 million bpd by the end of 2010, the study said.

However, demand for North Sea crude and US crude would remain stable at 20 to 21 million bpd, it added.

OPEC pumps 25.5 million bpd as of July 1 to meet the growing global demand. It is expected to lift the output to 26 million since Aug. 1, as agreed by its member states at a Beirut meeting in early June.

Source: Xinhua