Oil prices up after US stocks fall

london — Oil prices rose for a second day on Wednesday after data showed US crude inventories fell more than expected, easing worries about oversupply that have dragged on markets in recent weeks.

Brent crude was up 60 cents, or 0.8 per cent, at $74.04 a barrel by 1015 GMT, after gaining 0.5 per cent on Tuesday. US light crude was 5 cents higher at $68.57, having risen nearly 1 per cent in the previous session.

US crude and fuel stockpiles fell more than expected last week, industry group the American Petroleum Institute (API) reported late on Tuesday. “The overnight API figures set a positive tone for oil prices with draws across the main inventory categories from crude to a sizeable decline in gasoline, which is seasonally the focal point as the driving season ramps up,” Harry Tchilinguirian, oil strategist for French bank BNP Paribas, told Reuters Global Oil Forum.

US crude inventories fell 3.2 million barrels in the week to July 20 to 407.6 million barrels, the API said, compared with expectations for a decrease of 2.3 million barrels. Crude stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub fell by 808,000 barrels. Gasoline stocks fell by 4.9 million barrels, compared with analyst expectations in a Reuters poll for a 713,000-barrel drop.

Official figures from the US Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration will be published at 10:30 a.m. EDT (1430 GMT) on Wednesday.

“The dollar is very weak this morning,” said Tamas Varga, analyst at London brokerage PVM Oil Associates. “I believe that this is also playing a part in why the prices are up.” The dollar was down around 0.15 per cent against a basket of other currencies by 1015 GMT. Sentiment was also supported by an International Monetary Fund report about skyrocketing inflation in Venezuela, limiting its ability to boost oil output, said Stephen Innes, trader at brokerage OANDA.

“Venezuelan oil production has already plummeted to a new 30-year low of 1.5 million barrels a day in June,” he said.