41.   OPEC has been widely expected to leave production levels unchanged, despite the sharp decreases in the price of oil this week.

42.   OPEC members voted to hold production level at their most recent meeting.

43.   Operators will be paid a fee for each barrel produced exceeding the current production level.

44.   PDVSA will pay operators a fee for each barrel produced exceeding the current daily production level.

45.   Pump prices soared to record high levels this summer due to high demand and a series of snafus at state refineries, which reduced production levels.

46.   Production levels affect profit because plants run more efficiently at high volumes and high production signals strong orders from dealers.

47.   Requirements are more flexible for titles at these firms, industry recruiters say, simply because overall annual production levels are generally lower.

48.   Some OPEC watchers fear the producing nations will merely legitimize the existing production levels rather than agree to bring new barrels to the market.

49.   Still, sanctions would hurt the carmakers by depressing domestic production levels.

50.   The four have in a way become de facto members of OPEC by agreeing to cut their production levels.