Further to the above, it is reported that Iran is pushing for an OPEC vote in January to reduce production by 1m barrels. Albeit transparent, this is rather a clever move by Iran to hit the U.S. where it hurts without anyone being able to point the finger at just Iran! No doubt such a proposal is bound to find favour amongst OPEC members who are bent on getting the biggest bang for each of its exported barrels of oil. All the talk by OPEC to monitor and moderate oil prices will be seen as hogwash if the cut goes through. I suspect that a base of $50 a barrel will be the new mark that OPEC will be seeking to maintain in the immediate future. Problems over oil production in Nigeria could become a running sore and disrupt the exports of its much in demand light oil.