World's Energy

VIENNA, October 24 (RIA Novosti) - Ministers of the 13 OPEC member states, who gathered in the Austrian capital Vienna earlier on Friday, announced oil production cuts of 1.5 million barrels per day amid a global financial crisis and falling oil prices. The oil production cuts will come into effect from November 1. Chakib Khelil, OPEC president and Algeria's oil minister, said that further oil cuts were possible. "The decision should not leave the producer countries in the situation where they will be joining the group of countries which are already suffering from the financial crisis," he said prior to the meeting. The announcement of oil cuts was followed by further falls as the price of Brent crude dropped over $4 to $61.08. Global oil prices have plummeted from their high point of $147 a barrel in July to the current rate of under $70. Khelil said earlier that an ideal oil price was between $70 and $90 a barrel, but stressed that any move should be in the interest of oil-producing states. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries comprises Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.