The cartel, which controls about 40% of the world's production, decided on a cut of 1.5 million barrels a day in November. At a December meeting, it agreed to slash output by 2.2 million barrels a day.
OPEC has a sketchy record of compliance, but "the price collapse has undoubtedly shocked the cartel, and could, conceivably, elicit more than the usual degree of compliance from its members," said Edward Meir, an analyst at MF Global.
Crude oil rose more than 6 percent in New York, the biggest increase in two weeks, after the United Arab Emirates said it would reduce output to comply with OPEC s supply curbs.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., the biggest producer in the U.A.E., will reduce oil supply to Asia in January and February, according to a statement sent to buyers. OPEC agreed to a record production cut on Dec. 17 in response to collapsing demand because of the economic slowdown. Oil also advanced because the dollar dropped against the euro. .
Retail gasoline prices tumbled Friday to the lowest level in nearly five years. And while crude futures rose, analysts believed it was a temporary pause in an extended, downward arc as the recession spreads.
World oil prices rose on Friday for the first time this week amid reports the United Arab Emirates will cut production in line with an OPEC output cutback decision.
In thin post-Christmas trading, New York's main contract, light sweet crude for February delivery, rose to 37.71 dollars, up 2.36 dollars from Wednesday's closing price. Markets were closed for Christmas on Thursday.
The New York contract has been sliding over the past nine trading sessions.
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