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Oil gains on Middle East war concerns, United States unrefined stockpile drop

Oil costs got on Wednesday after an industry report showed U.S. crude and gas stocks fell and as the market looked for a possible widening of the IsraelGaza war, which may affect worldwide oil products.

Brent crude futures increased 56 cents, or 0.7%, to $ 81.25 a barrel by 0540 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude increased by 59 cents, or 0.8%, to $78.94 per barrel.

Key Middle Eastern oil manufacturer Iran has actually not yet retaliated against the assassination of a Hamas official in its capital that it blames on Israel. However any escalation of the dispute in the Middle East is a clear advantage threat to oil prices over the next six months and potentially even longer, stated Vivek Dhar, analyst at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

The degree of Iran's reprisal, as well as Israel's. reaction, will likely figure out whether the present conflict in. the Middle East widens into a regional dispute, said Dhar.

The instant market issue will be attacks on Iran's oil. supply and facilities. Iran accounts for 3-4% of international oil. demand, of which, 25-50% is exported.

Iran has actually pledged a serious response to the killing of the Hamas. leader late last month. Israel has actually neither verified nor denied. its participation but it is combating in Gaza versus Hamas after. the group attacked Israel in October. To counter Iran, the U.S. Navy has released warships and a submarine to the Middle East.

If a broader conflict in the Middle East develops, this. would likely threaten not just Iranian supply but also oil. moving through crucial choke points in the Middle East, said. experts at ANZ Research in a note on Wednesday.

This might expose over 20 million barrels per day of oil to. threats of disruption.

U.S. crude oil and gasoline inventories fell last week,. while extract stocks increased, according to market sources,. pointing out American Petroleum Institute data on Tuesday.

The API figures revealed unrefined stocks declined by 5.21 million. barrels in the week ended Aug. 9, the sources stated, speaking on. condition of privacy. Gasoline inventories relieved by 3.69. million barrels, and extracts rose by 612,000 barrels.

Falling inventories could suggest greater need in the. U.S., the world's greatest oil customer.

Main federal government data from the Energy Details. Administration is due later Wednesday.

Capping oil price gains however, the International Energy. Firm (IEA), kept its 2024 global oil need growth forecast. unchanged on Tuesday however trimmed its 2025 quote, pointing out the. effect of a weakened Chinese economy on usage.

(source: Reuters)