According to independent observers cited in OPEC's monthly report on Tuesday, the group's compliance in November to existing cuts was only just over 50 per cent.

"Prices have to head lower, now that we are through $40. As long as demand continues to weaken, prices will weaken too," Emori added.

A prolonged period of cheap prices could slow new investment, crimping supply, a stark turnaround just months after worries that high prices were eating into demand.

Oil below $50 is uncomfortable for all producing nations, but especially for OPEC members Venezuela and Iran, which are dependent on higher prices to fund ambitious domestic programmes.

Traders also took their cue from US crude oil and refined fuel stocks, which rose last week as imports of oil products increased, while domestic refiners curbed output rates in the light of soft demand.

Commercial crude oil stocks in the United States were up 500,000 barrels to 321.2 million, the Energy Information Administration said.

It also said oil demand in the world's top consumer was expected to grow by only 1 million bpd, or 0.2 per cent, over the next two decades, as higher vehicle fuel standards and increased use of renewable fuels stifle petroleum consumption.

Americans are likely to travel less for the Christmas holiday period for the first time since 2002, travel and auto group AAA said.

US shares fell on Wednesday, prompting Japan's Nikkei to inch lower as well on Thursday, as investors wondered what tools were left to tackle the year-long recession after the Federal Reserve on Tuesday cut rates to their lowest on record.

... contd.