DUBAI, Dec 15: The 10 Opec members states have reduced crude oil production by 3.02 million barrels per day (bpd) so far this year, the Middle East Economic Survey (MEES) reports in its Monday edition.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec), minus Iraq, had pledged to cut output by 3.5 million bpd in a joint effort to stabilize markets and boost prices.

Opec produced 23.78 million bpd in November, or a surplus of 597,000 bpd over the September production ceiling, according to data gathered by the Nicosia-based industry newsletter.

Output by most countries was not much over quota, apart from Nigeria, which produced 2.15 million bpd compared to a quota of 1.911 bpd, MEES said.

MEES sources indicate that Iranian production in November recorded its lowest level for the year registering 3.43 million bpd compared to 3.45 million bpd in October, on a production quota of 3.406 million bpd.

Crude exports were 1.98 million bpd and deliveries to domestic refineries 1.45 million bpd.

Iranian exports averaged 2.37 million bpd during the first half of the year, compared with the 2000 average of 2.31 million bpd, MEES said, quoting its own sources.

Iranian exports were 2.6 million bpd during January ahead of the production cuts agreed by Opec, which took effect in February and April.

Oil prices turned up on Friday in largely technical trading, with few signs of a breakthrough from global producers mulling another large output cut.

A barrel of Brent North Sea reference crude for January delivery rose to $18.08 from $17.80 at the close on Thursday. New York light sweet crude January contract fell 24 cents to $18.12.

The market has been in the doldrums amid an apparent stalemate among global producers trying to forge a deal to restrict output in line with shrinking demand.

Opec wants rivals to cut output by 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) before it goes ahead with a pencilled-in 1.5 million bpd cutback, but non-Opec countries have pledged reductions that fall short of that figure.

—AFP