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Oil consistent as players take stock of Middle East supply issues

Oil prices were constant in early trading on Friday as financiers weighed supply concerns in the Middle East versus indications of weakened need.

Brent unrefined futures for October shipment end on Friday and were unchanged at 0033 GMT. The more actively traded contract for November fell 7 cents or 0.09% to $78.75. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down 11 cents, or 0.14%, to $75.80.

Both agreements settled more than $1 higher on Thursday driven by oil supply issues.

Majority of Libya's oil production, or about 700,000 barrels each day (bpd), was offline on Thursday and exports were stopped at several ports following a standoff between rival political factions.

Libyan production losses might reach between 900,000 and 1 million bpd and last for several weeks, according to consulting firm, Rapidan Energy Group.

Meanwhile, Iraqi products are also expected to diminish after the nation's output exceeded its quota agreed with OPEC+, a. source with direct understanding of the matter informed Reuters on. Thursday.

Iraq prepares to reduce its oil output to in between 3.85 million. and 3.9 million bpd next month.

However, oil rates remained on track for a second month of. decrease.

Oil dipped 1% on Wednesday after data showed a U.S. crude. stock draw around a 3rd smaller sized than anticipated, with. stocks slipping 846,0000 to 425.2 million, compared with a. 2.3 million barrel draw anticipated by experts in a Reuters. poll.

The market is worried about the medium-term outlook, with. oil balances for 2025 looking weak, ANZ analysts said in a. note.

We believe OPEC will have no option however to delay the stage. out of voluntary production cuts if it desires higher rates, ANZ. said.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). and allies, together called OPEC+, is set to slowly stage. out voluntary production cuts of 2.2 million barrels per day. throughout a year from October 2024 to September 2025.

(source: Reuters)