21.   OPEC leaders remain tightlipped about whether crude production levels will be adjusted anytime soon, suggesting they are comfortable with current prices.

22.   Representatives of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries faced a seemingly impossible dilemma as they prepared to meet to review their policy on crude production.

23.   The company evacuated all employees from its rigs after the latest in a series of disruptions of its crude production.

24.   The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries last month decided to cut crude production for the second time this year, hoping to halt the recent slide in oil prices.

25.   The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries meets in Vienna on Friday to decide whether to stick with its latest cuts in crude production.

26.   Word that Venezuela plans to boost crude production for the rest of the year sent oil futures prices lower Friday on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

27.   Iraq, second only to Saudi Arabia in crude production and reserves, had plans to develop its energy sector but they were held up by the sanctions.

28.   A disturbed security situation in the region and frequent strike calls by pressure groups demanding jobs in the oil industry for local youths have also slowed down crude production.

29.   Abdel Mohsen al-Medej said crude production remained unchanged despite oil sector workers joining the Kuwaiti army deployed along the border with Iraq.

30.   Alaska Senators Ted Stevens and Frank Murkowski have lobbied hard for ending the ban, which they said is no longer relevant and discourages US crude production.