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Oil edges greater, holding to gains made on signs of tighter supply

Oil prices rose slightly on Thursday, holding to gains from the previous session that came in the middle of indications of tighter supply.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures (WTI) rose 17 cents to $78.08 a barrel for the timely month. The May agreement got 14 cents to $77.45 a barrel by 0150 GMT.

Brent crude for April shipment ticked up 14 cents to $ 83.17 a barrel, while the May contract added 13 cents, rising to $82.24 a barrel.

The premium of spot rates over near-date futures has been widening over recent weeks, suggesting a robust demand outlook in the near term, ANZ analysts wrote in a note.

Oil rates increased 1% on Wednesday, with oil contracts tied to near-term shipments striking their highest premium in months.

Refinery reboots in the United States are supporting need, after a series of interruptions earlier cut U.S. refinery utilisation rates to the most affordable level in 2 years.

BP's 435,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) refinery in Indiana will go back to complete production in March, according to individuals familiar with plant operations, after a power blackout from Feb. 1.

TotalEnergies' 238,000 bpd refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, is also working to finish a restart, though it is still operating minimally following a weather-related power blackout.

Analysts anticipate U.S. refinery run rates to have increased to 81.5% recently from 80.6% of overall capability in the previous week, according to a survey.

Any drawdown in U.S. oil inventories must see even more assistance for oil rates, the ANZ experts composed.

Authorities information from the Energy Info Administration is due at 1600 GMT on Thursday, postponed a day by a U.S. holiday.

(source: Reuters)