Oil fell on Friday, but was on track to post a slight weekly gain, broadly shrugging off a warning from the International Energy Agency that the spread of coronavirus variants is slowing oil demand
Brent crude was down 18 cents, or 0.2per cent, at US$71.13 a barrel by 1332 GMT. US crude lost 14 cents, or 0.2per cent, to trade at US$68.95. Over the week the benchmarks are up less than 1per cent
It's a marked reversal for the Paris-based agency, which just a month ago was urging the Opec+ alliance to open the taps or risk a damaging spike in prices
Oil prices declined on Thursday after the International Energy Agency said the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus would slow the recovery of global oil demand
The OPEC in a monthly report also raised its forecast of supply from rivals, including US shale producers, next year, a potential headwind for the efforts of the group and allies to balance the market
Rising demand for oil abruptly reversed course in July and is set to proceed more slowly for the rest of the year due to the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, the International Energy Agency said
Consumption of fuel, a proxy for oil demand, totalled 16.83 million tonnes, data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) of the oil ministry showed
Company says its results were supported by the global easing of Covid-19 restrictions, vaccination campaigns
In New Delhi, petrol is selling at Rs 101.84 per litre. In Mumbai, the price stands at Rs 107.83
Futures rose as much as 1.3 per cent in New York on Wednesday
A rising number of coronavirus cases worldwide, despite vaccination programmes, has limited the upside for oil and remains a concern.
Brent crude futures rose 23 cents, or 0.3%, to $74.73 a barrel by 1150 GMT
LONDON (Reuters) -Oil slipped further below $74 a barrel on Friday but was on track to end the week little changed after a surprising recovery from Monday's slide, underpinned by expectations that supply will remain tight as demand recovers.
For the week, Brent was set to end the week up a marginal 0.2%, having declined in the previous three weeks. U.S. crude was poised to remain steady over the week.
Oil prices trimmed overnight gains on Friday but were poised to end the week largely steady after rebounding from a sharp drop, underpinned by expectations supply will remain tight as demand recovers
Brent crude gained 50 cents to $72.73 a barrel by 11:10 a.m. EDT (1510 GMT)
Brent crude futures had gained $2.53, or 3.65 per cent, to $71.88 a barrel by 18.41 pm IST
Oil prices fell on Wednesday after an industry report showed an unexpected build-up in US oil inventories last week
Iraqi Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar said on Sunday that the oil market has seen an improvement in demand and a decline in surplus and stockpiles
OPEC stuck to its forecast for a strong recovery in world oil demand in the rest of 2021, predicted oil use would rise further in 2022 similar to pre-pandemic rates, led by growth in China and India.