OPEC: Why do Cartels Fail? They Cheat By Young Research - September 23, 2016 Cartels like OPEC don’t work very well because cheating is rampant. Look at OPEC’s oil production quota vs. its actual production over time. Rarely do the two meet. Share this: Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook