Vienna: The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) ministers met on June 26 to rubber stamp a decision extending output curbs that have revived prices from a post-September 11 slump and to review the market situation in September.

Rebuffing pressure from consumer countries to help ease prices, the OPEC ministers prepared to finalise the pact at a formal meeting after a sub-committee recommended on June 25 that quotas be left unchanged.

Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar-Zangeneh said the committee had recommended "no change in production levels", close co-operation with non-OPEC producers and better compliance with output quotas.

OPEC slashed production by about 20 per cent last year to rescue prices from a slump below $ 20 a barrel triggered by the worldwide economic slowdown and September 11 terrorist atrocities, which sapped global demand.

The Arab-dominated group, which produces over 30 per cent of the world's crude, even persuaded non-OPEC producers to rein in supply, helping to haul prices back into its target range of $ 22 to 28 a barrel.

But although OPEC reversed the slide in prices, demand remains weak and stocks are plentiful.

Moreover, its pact with non-members to rein in supply is unravelling and rival producers Russia and Norway both plan to scrap their export ceilings in the third quarter.

Crude prices, which have firmed in recent days, softened overnight after Russia confirmed that it would increase production by 150,000 bpd from July 1, and amid continuing uncertainty over Venezuela's output.

In New York light sweet crude for August delivery slipped 15 cents to $ 26.32.

So rather than raise output, some ministers were urging OPEC to get a tighter grip on production through stricter compliance with quotas.

Estimates suggest that OPEC is leaking up to 1.5 million barrels of oil a day onto world markets in excess of its production quotas.

Wednesday's meeting was also expected to replace Venezuelan Ali Rodriguez as OPEC secretary general after a two-year tenure. Rodriguez has been appointed to head his native country's state oil company after an aborted coup there.

Venezuelan Energy Minister Alvaro Silva Calderon has been proposed to succeed Rodriguez, and OPEC ministers appeared confident his appointment would be approved.