The deal could still fall through at the last minute and the two countries, which reached a preliminary agreement in October, are unlikely to restart production immediately, the people familiar with the matter said. The return would be gradual and would be offset by output reductions in other oil fields to comply with cuts agreed upon with other producers, they said. In early December, Prince Abdulaziz headed a pact with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its Russia-led allies to deepen production cuts to 1.7 million barrels a day. The negotiations to reopen the neutral zone have been backed by the U.S., which wants to ensure abundant quantities of oil remain available to make up for sanctioned Iranian and Venezuelan oil. U.S. oil company Chevron Corp. , which operates an onshore field in the neutral zone, said it continues to monitor the situation. “Saudi Arabian Chevron remains […]