21.   The drop came as refiners slashed production to focus on heating oil output.

22.   The draft reportedly also proposes raising the cap on Iraqi oil output to allow purchases of more food and medicine under U.N. auspices.

23.   The government is now assuming higher oil output from OPEC, according to an annual outlook released today by the Energy Department.

24.   The prices have risen in part because the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, of which Iraq is a member, has taken action to limit oil output.

25.   The rise reflected an increase in crude oil prices and increased oil output.

26.   Until now, each country had been waiting for the other to cut its oil output first.

27.   OPEC delegates end informal talks without agreement on oil output,

28.   OPEC members agree formally to keep oil output at current levels.

29.   OPEC ministers expected to leave oil output quotas unchanged Focus.

30.   OPEC to make deep cut in oil output but only if non-OPEC does same,