Industry officials say Iraq is sticking to its present ceiling of 2.78 million barrels a day.

Last week, the 12-member group voted to maintain its ceiling of 24.52 million barrels a day until at least June.

Under the ceiling of 18.5 million barrels a day in the new agreement, the Emirates' share is 970,000.

But the country's pipeline export capacity recently hit a ceiling of four million barrels a day.

The oil cartel is considering another increase in the ceiling of 500,000 barrels a day if prices remain at their current levels.

Iraq has hinted it may settle for a ceiling of 2.4 million barrels a day, which is similar to Iran's.

Kuwait also relented in its request for a higher ceiling of 2.2 million barrels.

That is 700,000 barrels more than the group's official ceiling of 27 million barrels.

The barrel ceiling is draped with what looks like gold mesh from a coffee filter.

Somehow it still seems to have an almost stark magnificence, perhaps because of the huge barrel ceiling.