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Oil bit changed as need weakness offsets sanctions-driven supply dangers

Oil costs were little altered in early Asian trade on Thursday as forecasts of weak demand and a. higherthanexpected increase in U.S. gasoline and distillate. inventories stemmed gains from an extra round of European. Union sanctions that threatened Russian oil flows.

Brent unrefined futures were down 5 cents at $73.47 a. barrel at 0141 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate unrefined futures. fell 11 cents to $70.18. Both standards increased over $1. each on Wednesday.

OPEC cut its demand growth forecasts for 2025 for the 5th. straight month on Wednesday and by the biggest amount yet.

Investors will be carefully monitoring the IEA's market. balance price quotes for 2025, which will reflect OPEC's current. announcement, experts at ANZ said in a note on Thursday.

On the planet's top oil consumer United States, fuel and. extract stocks increased by more than anticipated recently,. according to data from the Energy Details Administration.

Weak need, particularly in leading importer China, and. non-OPEC+ supply development were two factors behind the relocation. However, investors anticipate a rise in Chinese demand, after. Beijing revealed strategies today to embrace an appropriately. loose financial policy in 2025, which might spur oil demand.

Chinese crude imports also grew yearly for the first time. in seven months in November, up more than 14% from a year. previously.

The marketplace will now expect cues on rates of interest cuts by. the U.S. Federal Reserve next week.

Rates increased on Wednesday after European Union ambassadors. agreed to a 15th plan of sanctions on Russia over its war. against Ukraine.

The Kremlin stated that reports of a possible tightening up of. U.S. sanctions on Russian oil recommended the administration of. President Joe Biden wants to leave a difficult tradition for. U.S.-Russia relations.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Wednesday that the. U.S. is continuing to try to find innovative ways to lower Russia's. oil profits, adding that lower global need for oil created an. chance for more sanctions.

(source: Reuters)