Rising fuel demand led by growth in China, India and the Middle East has outpaced Riyadh's expectations, and Saudi now sees medium to longterm oil consumption higher than it had previously anticipated, trade publication PIW reported.

"Saudi sources expect the kingdom will need to keep oil output around 9 million bpd or higher over the next few years," PIW said.

Saudi reduced output to 8.292 million bpd in March, although it pumped 9.125 million bpd in February to plug the gap left by Libya, where civil war cut exports.

Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said last week that April output may rise from March.

Libyan output disruption, the threat of further cuts in supply stemming from political tumult across the Middle East and North Africa, and strong growth in fuel demand have helped push oil prices to 2½-year highs this year.

Oil consuming and producing countries have warned that high energy costs could impact economic growth.