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A million barrel-a-day cut in oil production by OPEC countries has stopped the slide in oil prices. The production cut is designed to keep oil prices in the US$22-26-a-barrel range. It returns oil production to the same level at the same time last year - when prices were higher but the economies were stronger. Analysts say the production cut is not likely to cause a price rise (as it did last year) because OPEC countries are already producing 600,000 barrels a day above their quota (some countries need the revenue) and non-OPEC countries such as Russia will keep producing maximum quantities (they need the revenue). The problem for Australian fuel users is that the A$ has fallen as fast as oil prices have fallen. The softer Australian currency and higher oil shipping costs are likely to steady any fall in oil prices for the next month.