Key OPEC countries to increase since April of petroleum production

/PRAIM-TASS, Feb.18, 00/ - Leading OPEC countries are going since April to increase petroleum production due to USA political pressure and being afraid to lose part of the markets. ITAR-TASS has learned it today from confidential sources on the London International petroleum exchange. In January 2000 the key OPEC participants have reached the preliminary agreement concerning preservation of present production limits in case of the average annual oil prices will be lower than 25 dollars for barrel. However the situation has been changed, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela have begun a new round of consultations. It is expected that the negotiations of Saudi Arabia with other OPEC members, Mexico and Norway will be held within the next two weeks. The new OPEC politic should be accepted on OPEC meeting in Vienna on March 27.