(Reuters) - OPEC defended on Wednesday its decision not to intervene to halt the oil price collapse, shrugging off warnings by top energy firms that the cartel's policy could lead to a huge supply shortage as investments dry up.

The strain the halving of oil prices since June is putting on producers was laid bare when non-member Oman voiced its first direct, public criticism of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' November decision not to cut production but instead to focus on market share.

Oil prices have collapsed to below $50 a barrel as a result of a large supply glut, due mostly to a sharp rise in U.S. shale production as well as weaker global demand.

The rapid decline has left several smaller oil producing countries reeling and has forced oil companies to slash budgets.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the heads of two of the world's largest oil firms warned that the decline in investments in future production could lead to a supply shortage and a dramatic price increase.

Claudio Descalzi, the head of Italian energy company Eni Spa, said that unless OPEC acts to restore stability in oil prices, these could overshoot to $200 per barrel several years down the line.

"What we need is stability... OPEC is like the central bank for oil which must give stability to the oil prices to be able to invest in a regular way," Descalzi told Reuters Television.

He expected prices to stay low for 12-18 months but then start a gradual recovery as U.S. shale oil production began falling.

STICKING TO GUNS

But both OPEC and Saudi Arabia, the group's largest producer, stuck to their guns.

"If we had cut in November we would have to cut again and again as non-OPEC would be increasing production," OPEC Secretary General Abdullah al-Badri said in Davos.

"Everyone tells us to cut. But I want to ask you, do we produce at higher cost or lower costs? Let's produce the lower cost oil first and then produce the higher cost," Badri said.

"Prices will rebound. I saw this 3-4 times in my life."

Al-Badri said the policy was not directed at Russia, Iran or the United States.

State-run oil company Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Khalid al-Falih also appeared unfazed, saying that although it could take some time, the oil market will eventually balance itself.

The chief executive of French oil major Total Patrick Pouyanne echoed Descalzi's warnings.

"There is a natural decline of five percent a year from existing fields around the world. That means by 2030 more than half of the existing global oil production will disappear. There is an enormous amount of money that needs to be invested to get another 50 million barrels per day of new production," Pouyanne said in Davos.

Total is set to cut capital spending by 10 percent this year from 2014's $26 billion, reducing investments in the North Sea and U.S. shale production, he added.

Total joins a raft of international oil companies, including BP and ConocoPhillips, that have slashed 2015 budgets due to lower prices.

(This story corrects second paragraph to show Oman is not an OPEC member)

(Writing by Ron Bousso; Editing by Michael Urquhart)

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/21/us-opec-oil-davos-idUSKBN0KU21720150121

Nairalanders, what are your take about this post. As oil price decline inthe world market note that it will affect the government decisions and will definitely trickle down to many Nigerians on the street.

What advice do you think we need to give to our government whose recurring expenditure is over 70% and no capital investment which is affecting the way we do our business and earn a living.

Our leaders are buying private jets at the expense of tax paying Nigerians and fueling and maintaining the jets at very expensive cost. And we have teaming populations of Nigerian graduates without Job.

The external reserve that could help cousin the effect of global economic melt down has been wasted by our politicians.

So, Nairalanders which way to go. What do we do to help ourselves in this trying periods.

Thanks.

The decision not to cut supply by Saudi Arabian backed opec is really affecting the economy, just this news alone, dollar has arisen above #200 to dollar.

Nigerians, be prepared for the toughest time. Your government couldn't save during boom to support the naira.