OPEC crude output was steady this month as the 12-member group abandoned its usual production target. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries increased production by 18,000 barrels to 32.139 million a day this month, according to a Bloomberg survey of oil companies, producers and analysts. OPEC set aside its output target of 30 million barrels a day at its Dec. 4 meeting in Vienna. Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude exporter, has led the group in fighting for market share against higher-cost producers such as shale drillers in the U.S. “OPEC has no intention of changing its policy,” said Amrita Sen, chief oil economist at Energy Aspects Ltd. in London. “The intention is to slow down high-cost producers and I don’t see them doing anything until they have.” The group will have 13 members starting Friday with the return of Indonesia. The Southeast Asian nation’s membership will officially be […]