The full meaning of OPEC is the "Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries". OPEC is a group of 13 countries that cooperate and coordinate their petroleum production policies to stabilize oil markets, ensure a regular supply of petroleum to consumers, and secure a fair return on their petroleum exports. The organization was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. OPEC member countries control a significant portion of the world's oil reserves and production, making them a powerful force in the global energy market.