Sunday, May 19, 2013 3:18 AM EST

OPEC

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is a cartel  of twelve countries made up of Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.

OPEC has maintained its headquarters in Vienna since 1965, and hosts regular meetings among the oil ministers of its Member Countries. Indonesia withdrew in 2008 after it became a net importer of oil, but stated it would likely return if it became a net exporter in the world again.

Articles About OPEC

The Energy Report - Euro Growth or Lack Thereof

By Price Futures Group

Oil is sinking on demand concerns as Europe looks like it is getting more deeply mired in recession. While Germany had some growth, France is going back into recession. Over all, the Eurozone saw growth fall for the longest recession since the EU was founded. (May 15)

MORE TOPICS: CHINA, CRUDE OIL, GERMANY, MANUFACTURING, TWITTER, FACEBOOK

Big U.S. data dominates market but new favorites emerging

By Reuters

Central bank intervention, the euro zone crisis and China's rise have expanded the list of data that moves markets, but surprises in measures such as PMIs and U.S. jobs numbers still pack the biggest punch. (May 14)

MORE TOPICS: CHINA, UNEMPLOYMENT, BARCLAYS, BANK OF ENGLAND, EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK, LONDON

Venezuela finance minister pick may signal more pragmatic economics

By Reuters UK

Venezuela's designation of central bank President Nelson Merentes as finance minister signals the OPEC nation may be headed toward a more pragmatic approach to rising inflation and slowing growth. (Apr 23)

MORE TOPICS: BARCLAYS, TWITTER

The Energy Report - Commodity Price Drop May Change Fed Exit Strategy

By Price Futures Group

The collapse in commodities has not gone unnoticed. Words like depression and deflation are again being talked about and it is possible that the commodity collapse in gold copper and oil is sending an ominous warning about the direction of the global economy. (Apr 18)

MORE TOPICS: GOLD, DOW JONES, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, COPPER

Protests flare as Venezuela government rejects vote recount

By Reuters UK

Hundreds of protesters clashed with police in Venezuela's capital on Monday as the government rejected opposition demands for a vote recount after Sunday's contested election to replace the late Hugo Chavez. (Apr 16)

MORE TOPICS: TWITTER, CANCER

Analysis - Venezuela's Maduro inherits tough economic problems

By Reuters UK

Venezuelan President-elect Nicolas Maduro faces a difficult economic panorama of rising inflation and slowing growth, further complicated by his slim election victory that is being challenged by the opposition. (Apr 15)

MORE TOPICS: CHINA, CREDIT SUISSE, CANCER, INVESTMENT

Ecuador"s President Rafael Correa
Chinese Oil Companies Courted to Invest in Ecuador's 'Amazon Land'

By Ozforex

Ecuador could auction off more than three million hectares of Amazonian rainforest to Chinese oil companies as part of a global road-show to develop its oil industry. (Mar 28)

MORE TOPICS: CHINA, HUMAN RIGHTS

Iraq
Al Qaeda Claims Attacks On Iraq Invasion Anniversary

By Reuters

Al Qaeda in Iraq has claimed responsibility for a wave of bombings and suicide attacks on Tuesday that killed around 60 people on the 10th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion. (Mar 20)

MORE TOPICS: AL-QAEDA, IRAQ

Venezuala
Venezuelan Leader Maduro Has Big Poll Lead Over Capriles

By Reuters

Venezuela's acting president, Nicolas Maduro, has a commanding 14-percentage point lead over opposition candidate Henrique Capriles ahead of next month's election, according to the first major poll published since the death of Hugo Chavez. (Mar 19)

MORE TOPICS: BARCLAYS, ELECTIONS, CUBA

Shell to invest $1 billion at big Iraq oilfield - official

By Reuters UK

Royal Dutch Shell <RDSa.L> will spend more than $1 billion (661 million pounds) this year developing one of Iraq major oilfields, where it will resume operations on May 1, officials said on Saturday. (Mar 17)

MORE TOPICS: IRAQ, EXXON MOBIL, CHEVRON, MANAGEMENT