The Financial Post reports in its Friday edition Saudi Arabia and its allies sacrificed a short-term boost to their coffers to weaken their rivals Iran and Russia. The Post's Yadullah Hussain writes OPEC decided Thursday to maintain production at 30 million barrels per day, sending both Brent and West Texas Intermediate benchmarks reeling to four-year lows -- under $70 (U.S.). Venezuelan Foreign Minister Rafael Ramirez, who had pushed for a cut in production to boost prices, left the meeting "visibly angry," as the barely contained hostility between OPEC members was evident once again. "Effectively, there are two factions within OPEC," said author Marin Katusa at Casey Research in Vancouver. OPEC producers with spare capacity led by Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar enjoy fiscal surpluses with billions stashed in international markets and sovereign wealth funds that can weather a sustained low-price environment. Member rivals Iran, Algeria, Nigeria and Venezuela need high oil prices to fund their dysfunctional economies. The group's latest inaction benefits U.S. foreign policy as it inflicts fiscal pain on Venezuela, Iran and Russia, even if it means revenue pressure for a segment of U.S. shale producers.