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Oil costs extend upward momentum on expectations of tighter supply

Oil prices were on track to gain for a 2nd straight day on Tuesday after settling up more than a dollar on expectations of tighter supply driven by Russian production cuts and attacks on Russian refineries.

Brent crude rose 23 cents to $86.98 a barrel by 0118 GMT. U.S. unrefined futures climbed 28 cents to $82.23.

Petroleum gained on supply side issues and continued Middle East tensions, according to a note from ANZ experts.

Both contracts settled $1.32 higher in the previous trading session.

Russia told its oil business to reduce output to fulfill an Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) target of 9 million barrels each day (bpd). In late February, Russia had actually been producing about 9.5 million barrels each day.

At the exact same time, Ukranian attacks on Russian oil refineries have actually continued. Russia's Kuibyshev refinery had to shut half of its capability after a fire broke out there on Saturday morning.

In an indication of further supply tightening up, Macquarie projection that U.S. refinery crude runs would increase by 300,000 bpd next week against a reduction in domestic supply of 500,000 bpd, according to a note from energy strategist Walt Chancellor.

On Monday, the United Nations Security Council passed a. resolution requiring a ceasefire between Israel and. Palestinian militants Hamas, after the U.S. abstained from the. vote.

Experts are not confident that a ceasefire would halt. the Houthi attacks that have roiled shipping routes in the Red. Sea.

After the vote, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. canceled a visit to the U.S. to go over Israel's planned. intrusion of the Gaza city of Rafah, which Israel's allies have. opposed. Although the U.S. said its position had not altered,. the spat raised questions about whether the U.S. would limit. military aid to Israel if it presses ahead with the invasion.

(source: Reuters)