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Oil prices complete greater as US oil, fuel stocks ease

Oil costs settled higher on Wednesday, supported by big declines in U.S. crude and fuel stocks, however hovered close to their lowest level in 6 weeks due to issues over weak global need.

Prices snapped 3 straight sessions of decline on falling U.S. crude and fuel inventories, along with growing oil supply risks from Canadian wildfires.

Brent crude futures for September closed 70 cents, or 0.9%, greater at $81.71 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for September increased 63 cents, or 0.8%, to $77.59 per barrel.

U.S. crude inventories fell by 3.7 million barrels last week, the Energy Information Administration stated, compared to experts' expectations in a survey for a. 1.6-million-barrel draw.

U.S. gas stocks come by 5.6 million barrels,. compared with experts' expectations for a 400,000 draw. Distillate stockpiles, which include diesel and heating oil,. fell by 2.8 million barrels versus expectations for a. 250,000-barrel boost, the EIA data revealed.

Demand is better than expected, said Bob Yawger,. director of energy futures at Mizuho in New York City.

As long as fuel is succeeding, that will support the. rest of the market into the short-term future. Higher. extracts demand was the icing on the cake, Yawger included.

However, the market remained careful about worldwide summer. demand. U.S. oil refiners are anticipated to report greatly lower. second-quarter revenues versus a year ago after a listless. summer-driving season weakened refining margins, energy experts. said.

Prices are under pressure from ceasefire talks between. Israel and Hamas and continued concern that the economic. slowdown in China, the world's biggest crude importer, would. weaken international oil need.

Crude-oil shipments to India, the world's third-biggest oil. importer and consumer, also insinuated June to their most affordable. since February, federal government data revealed.

WTI lost 7% over the previous 3 sessions, while Brent. was down almost 5%.

Buoying costs, wildfires in Canada required some manufacturers to. cut production and threatened a large amount of supply.

Imperial Oil stated it has reduced non-essential. personnel at its Kearl oil sands site as a preventative measure.

On the other hand, Russia's energy ministry vowed to adhere to the. crude-output quota set by the OPEC+ group in July, after its. June production went beyond limitations.

(source: Reuters)