OPEC members could decide to hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss oil prices immediately after an informal gathering in Algiers next week, Algerian Energy Minister Noureddine Bouterfa said on Sept. 20.

Bouterfa told local radio he was optimistic that participants would reach a consensus on how to stabilize the oil markets at the Algiers meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC producers on Sept. 26-28.

"Oil ministers may decide to hold an extraordinary meeting immediately," he said.

Algeria has been pushing for oil to be stabilized at around $60 a barrel (bbl). Bouterfa has traveled to Qatar, Iran and Russia to lobby for action to steady the market.

International benchmark Brent crude oil futures were trading at about $45/bbl on Sept. 20.

On a visit to Algiers over the weekend, Mohammed Barkindo, secretary-general of OPEC, said an extraordinary meeting could happen if the Algeria conference produced a consensus. He has said the Algiers meeting was for consultations and not decision-making.