OPEC’s decision to cut output for the first time in eight years has put a rocket under oil prices. They’ve gained almost 20 percent since Nov. 30 when OPEC officials convened in Vienna. It’s not all sunny uplands for the oil dignitaries, however, because the rally will spur production in the U.S. and limit how far prices can climb. Lower 48 U.S. crude output could rise by almost 500,000 barrels a day by the end of 2017 to 7.45 million barrels a day if the price of WTI climbs to $60 a barrel, according to Macquarie. Other analysts hold similar views. “Give it six to nine months at $60 and you are going to start to see U.S. onshore production ramping hard and ramping fast,” said Citigroup’s global head energy strategy Seth Kleinman, speaking at a Bloomberg webinar in late November. […]