Opec agrees to maintain oil output ceiling

Vienna - The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) has agreed to maintain its oil production ceiling at 30 million barrels per day, Venezuelan Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez said on Wednesday after the cartel met in Vienna.

Asked whether Opec ministers had decided to leave the output target unchanged, Ramirez replied: "Yes, I confirm."

Opec, which accounts for one third of the world's oil, has held its daily production ceiling at 30 million barrels since December 2011.

In the run-up to the ministerial gathering, more than half of Opec's dozen member nations indicated that there would likely be a rollover of the collective output target.

Members remain pleased with current oil price levels, which have jumped by around 10% since December on supply strains arising from Iran, Libya and Ukraine.

Ramirez had earlier indicated that the cartel had reached a consensus for no change, before formally agreeing to the decision.