The average OPEC price, computed from eight crudes, was estimated today at $17 a barrel, very close to the organization's target of $18 a barrel.

And, it asked that the official OPEC price, set currently at $18 a barrel, be raised to $20.70.

"I think we should see OPEC prices nearer $15 for the first half."

According to many reports, Mr. Nazer sought an agreement to limit Soviet exports, which would help assure the new OPEC price.

Yamani claimed that Saudi Arabia would not sell over the OPEC price but would remain committed to the reduction of oil prices.

OPEC prices have declined in the past two weeks to around $14 a barrel, well below OPEC's official goal of $18.

That drop brought the average OPEC price down to between $13 and $14 a barrel from the cartel's official level of $18 a barrel.

The average OPEC price of $19.38 a barrel during the first two months of this year compared with $17.31 a barrel for all of last year.

He added that the quota of 16.6 million barrels would likely push OPEC prices on the spot market above the official $18 level later this year.

The OPEC price for oil had soared, placing the oil-rich Soviet Union in an advantageous position.