ENERGY

Gabon Says OPEC Dues Too High, May Leave Group: Although the West African nation is the smallest supplier in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, a defection by any member is considered a blow to the cartel’s prestige. Ecuador caused a stir in late 1992 when it announced it wanted out of the group. OPEC has lost much of its clout in recent years as members cheated on quotas and outsiders such as Britain and Norway became big oil suppliers. Gabonese Petroleum Minister Paul Toungui said the financially troubled nation has asked OPEC to reduce its membership fees. Currently, all 12 OPEC members pay the same amount to the group’s coffers: about $1.8 million each for 1995.