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Oil prices remain stable as rising production offsets disruptions in Russia's supply

The oil prices rose on Monday, as concerns about rising production and the impact of U.S. Tariffs on demand offset disruptions in supply caused by intensified airstrikes between Russia and Ukraine and pressures from a weaker currency.

Brent crude rose 31 cents or 0.46% to $67.79 per barrel at 0823 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude fell by 32 cents or 0.5% to $64.33. The U.S. holiday is expected to dampen trading.

Brent and WTI crude recorded their first monthly decreases in four month in August. Losses of 6% or higher were attributed to increased supply by the OPEC+ group.

"Crude has been fluctuating within the established ranges since August, as geopolitical tensions offset fears of an oversupply in the fourth quarter," said Ole Hansen.

Investors are focusing on Beijing where Chinese President Xi Jinping is attending a regional meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Hansen said that the OPEC+ summit on September 7 was also on investors' radar.

According to ANZ analysts, the markets remain worried about Russian oil flow. Weekly shipments from Russian ports have dropped to a 4-week low of 2,72 million barrels per daily (bpd).

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president, vowed to strike back with further strikes in Russia on Sunday after Russian drones attacked power plants in northern and south Ukraine. Both countries have intensified their airstrikes over the past few weeks, targeting energy infrastructures and disrupting Russian crude oil exports.

The poll conducted on Friday indicated that oil prices will not increase much this year from their current levels, due to rising production from the top producers and U.S. Tariff threats.

Energy Information Administration data released on Friday showed that U.S. crude production reached a record in June. It increased by 133,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 13,58 million bpd.

This week, the U.S. Labour Market Report will provide a reading on the health of the economy and test investor confidence in interest rate reductions that are imminent. Investors have been encouraged to invest in riskier assets like commodities.

The dollar fell to its lowest level in five weeks on Monday before the release of the data. This made oil cheaper for buyers who use other currencies.

(source: Reuters)