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Oil inches up as war jitters exceed surprise integrate in U.S. unrefined stocks

Oil rose somewhat in early trade on Wednesday as concern over escalating dispute in Europe and the Middle East offset demand concerns following an unanticipated construct in U.S. unrefined inventories.

Brent unrefined futures for August shipment rose 6 cents to $85.39 a barrel by 0016 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for June was up 10 cents to $81.67 per barrel.

Both criteria were up by more than a $1 in the previous session after a Ukrainian drone strike led to an oil terminal fire at a major Russian port, according to Russian authorities and a Ukrainian intelligence source.

In the Middle East, meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz alerted of a nearing all out war with Lebanon's. Hezbollah, even as the U.S. tried to avoid a wider. conflict in between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.

An intensifying war in the region raises the prospect crude. supply from essential producers could be interrupted.

Keeping oil prices from increasing even more, U.S. crude stocks. rose by 2.264 million barrels in the week ended June 14,. according to market sources mentioning American Petroleum Institute. figures on Tuesday. Experts polled had actually expected a. 2.2 million barrel attract crude stocks.

Gas inventories, nevertheless, fell by 1.077 million. barrels, while extracts rose by 538,000 barrels, the sources. said, speaking on condition of privacy.

Official U.S. stocks data from the Energy Details. Administration are due on Thursday.

(source: Reuters)