That leaves OPEC leaders once again divided along almost exactly the same lines now as they were three months ago.

But even if this is the goal, analysts say, OPEC leaders like Saudi Arabia do not want oil prices to climb too quickly.

OPEC leaders said late last week that they were considering a production cut before their scheduled meeting on Sept. 26 because prices had slipped badly.

If OPEC leaders agree to increase quotas by 1.5 million barrels but clamp down on cheating, the net effect would be negligible.

Such pronouncements find favor with OPEC leaders.

OPEC leaders acknowledge that Russia has become the market's linchpin.

OPEC leaders have always wanted to present a unified front, and even the Saudis had preached about the need for consensus.

OPEC leaders blamed a lack of refining capacity for the recent run-up in prices.

OPEC leaders themselves wondered whether the advance in oil prices could be sustained.

Many OPEC leaders now say their target price is $25 a barrel, and American officials have implied that they can live with that level.