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A general view of the Phillips 66 Company's Los Angeles Refinery, which processes domestic & imported crude oil into gasoline, aviation and diesel fuels, in Carson, California, U.S., March 11, 2022. REUTERS/Bing Guan/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 29 (Reuters) - Elliott Investment Management has taken a $1 billion stake in Phillips 66 and is urging the U.S. oil refiner and pipeline operator to revamp its board to boost lagging performance. Phillips 66 has lagged its U.S. refining rivals at a time when fuel demand and margins have soared for the industry. Phillips 66 Chief Executive Mark Lashier acknowledged discussions with Elliott but did not say whether the company was open to adding two Elliott-recommended directors to its board. Phillips 66 currently has 13 board members.

Persons: Bing Guan, Phillips, Mark Lashier, Elliott, Lashier, John Pike, Mike Tomkins, Garfield Miller, Miller, Svea Herbst, Bayliss, Laura Sanicola, Gary McWilliams, Anil D'Silva, Bernadette Baum, Mark Porter Organizations: Phillips, Los, Los Angeles Refinery, Elliott Investment Management, Marathon Petroleum, Energy, Exxon Mobil, Aegis Energy Advisors, Elliott, Svea, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles, Carson , California, U.S, Houston, Providence, New York, Bengaluru

[1/2] An aerial view shows a crude oil tanker at an oil terminal off Waidiao island in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China January 4, 2023. Both contracts had their first weekly gain in five weeks as OPEC+ prepares for a meeting that will have output cuts high on the agenda after recent oil price declines on demand concerns and burgeoning supply, particularly from non-OPEC producers. OPEC+ has moved closer to a compromise with African oil producers on 2024 output levels, three OPEC+ sources have told Reuters. "Fundamentals developments have been bearish with rising U.S. oil inventories," ANZ analysts said in a note. Analysts say oil demand growth could weaken to about 4% in the first half of 2024 as the property sector crunch weighs on diesel use.

Persons: John Kilduff, Tony Sycamore, Brent, Craig Erlam, Tina Teng, Paul Carsten, Natalie Grover, Colleen Howe, David Goodman, Louise Heavens, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Brent, West Texas, Organization of, Petroleum, Reuters, OANDA, ANZ, Petrobras, Thomson Locations: Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China, Gaza, OPEC, Wednesday's, WTI, Israel, New York, Russia, U.S, London, Beijing

Oil pump jacks are seen at the Vaca Muerta shale oil and gas deposit in the Patagonian province of Neuquen, Argentina, January 21, 2019. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 15 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose in early Asian trade on Wednesday on Middle East tensions and a weaker dollar, while investors focused on inventory data after a two week delay in reporting. Brent futures rose 8 cents to $82.55 a barrel by 0013 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 2 cents to $78.28. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) will release its first oil inventory report in two weeks on Wednesday. A weaker dollar can boost oil demand by making crude cheaper for buyers using other currencies.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, Brent, Al Shifa, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, West Texas, Tuesday U.S, U.S . Energy Information Administration, American Petroleum Institute, International Energy Agency, U.S . Federal, U.S ., Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, Thomson Locations: Vaca, Patagonian, Neuquen, Argentina, Gaza's, San Francisco

December Brent crude futures , set to expire on Tuesday, rose 36 cents, or 0.41%, to stand at $87.81 a barrel by 0305 GMT. "If this evolves into a full-scale invasion and there is involvement from Iran, tighter supply worries could resurface." In a note, ING analysts said, "Disruptions to Iranian oil flows remain the most obvious risk to the market." Such lost supply could range between 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) and 1 million bpd if the United States strictly enforces sanctions once again, they added, although Middle East developments had yet to affect oil supply. Weaker-than-expected manufacturing and non-manufacturing activity data from China stoked fears of slowing fuel demand from the world's No.

Persons: Eric Gaillard, Brent, Leon Li, China stoked, CME's, Laura Sanicola, Trixie Yap, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: REUTERS, . West Texas, Federal Reserve, Markets, ING, U.S, Thomson Locations: Nice, France, China, Wednesday's U.S, Gaza, Iran, Shanghai, Israel, United States, Venezuela, riven

REUTERS/Bing Guan/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 19 (Reuters) - U.S. oil refiners have cranked up output of diesel, heating oil and jet fuel for winter but are struggling to turn a profit because gasoline margins have fallen over 80% since the summer driving season ended. Refiners, which typically produce more distillates such as diesel and heating oil in autumn, are trying to rebuild inventories of these fuels that are near seasonal record lows. While fuel makers focus on maximizing distillate output, they inevitably produce gasoline as well. Meanwhile, Russia's short-lived diesel export ban, along with less refinery capacity and Western sanctions on Russian diesel, have hit diesel inventories and tightened supplies. Shortages have kept the U.S. heating oil crack at near $44 a barrel, nearly twice the seasonal average.

Persons: Bing Guan, fuelmakers, RIN, Laura Sanicola, Stephanie Kelly, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Phillips, Los, Los Angeles Refinery, Rights, Diesel, AAA, U.S ., U.S . Energy Information Administration, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles, Carson , California, U.S, Singapore, U.S . East

[1/4] Maria Corina Machado, candidate of the Vente Venezuela party for the opposition primaries and Freddy Superlano, leader of the Voluntad Popular party, raise their arms as they pose for pictures after a press conference, in Caracas, Venezuela October 13, 2023. The primary is the first held by Venezuela's opposition in over a decade. Favorite Maria Corina Machado is barred from holding public office, in a move criticized by the opposition and the U.S alike, and it is not clear what will happen if she wins the primary. Two other candidates - former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles and ex-lawmaker Freddy Superlano - have already withdrawn their candidacies because of similar disqualifications. The U.S. government has conveyed to Maduro bans must be lifted for all opposition presidential candidates by the end of November in exchange for sanction relief, a senior U.S. official said on Wednesday.

Persons: Maria Corina Machado, Freddy Superlano, Leonardo Fernandez, Nicolas Maduro, Henrique Capriles, MARIA CORINA MACHADO, Machado, CARLOS PROSPERI Prosperi, Prosperi, Solorzano, Deisy Buitrago, Vivian Sequera, Mayela Armas, Oliver Griffin, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Voters, U.S, World Bank, Inter, American Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, Accion Democratica, Criminal Court, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Venezuela, Caracas, CARACAS, U.S, Guarico

[1/2] Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at the Miraflores Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela June 12, 2023. It was not immediately known how soon the U.S. might act or how far it could go with sanctions relief. U.S. sources have also said any relaxation of sanctions would be reversible if Maduro fails to meet his election commitments. Maduro, president since 2013, is expected to run for re-election but has not yet formalized his candidacy. The U.S. imposed sanctions on Venezuela to punish Maduro's government following a 2018 election that Washington considered a sham.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, Ebrahim Raisi, Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Joe Biden's, Maduro, Maria Corina Machado, Jorge Rodriguez, Rodriguez, Gerardo Blyde, Machado, Maduro's, Washington, Deisy Buitrago, Vivian Sequera, Matt Spetalnick, Julia Symmes Cobb, Will Dunham, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, European Union and United Nations, Reuters, U.S, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: Miraflores, Caracas, Venezuela, Rights CARACAS, WASHINGTON, U.S, Washington, Maduro, Barbados, Qatar, Houston

Along with mild winter weather in much of the northern hemisphere, Chinese fuel exports helped avert widespread shortages of diesel, heating oil and gasoil. Russia's ban on diesel exports ahead of winter has sparked a new round of concerns of another supply shock. Chinese fuel exports are currently around 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd), down from last year's peak at 1.8 million bpd in December. China's fuel exports are subject to quotas, closely monitored by the global fuel trading community. China also has quotas for imports of crude oil that refiners use to make diesel and other products.

Persons: Meng Meng, John Kilduff, Matt Smith, Al Zour, Kpler, Laura Sanicola, Trixie Yapl, Simon Webb, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Total, Al, Diesel, U.S . East, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Thomson Locations: Boxing, Shandong Province, China, U.S, Ukraine, Europe, Americas, Brazil, Turkey, New York, Beijing, Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Asia, Middle, Western Europe, America, U.S . East Coast

Oil rigs are seen at Vaca Muerta shale oil and gas drilling, in the Patagonian province of Neuquen, Argentina January 21, 2019. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 11 (Reuters) - Oil edged higher on Wednesday as investors grappled with the prospect of supply disruptions due to the Middle East turmoil. Brent crude rose 26 cents, or 0.3%, to $87.91 a barrel by 0312 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 17 cents, or 0.2%, to $86.14 a barrel. Israel produces very little crude oil, but markets are worried that the conflict could escalate and hurt Middle East supply, worsening an expected deficit for the rest of the year.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, Brent, WTI, Warren Patterson, Ewa Manthey, Washington, Laura Sanicola, Muyu Xu, Leslie Adler Organizations: REUTERS, . West Texas, ING, Israel, U.S, U.S . Federal, Thomson Locations: Vaca, Patagonian, Neuquen, Argentina, Brent, Gaza, Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, U.S ., U.S, Venezuela, Caracas

The drop in gasoline prices could benefit consumers and cool inflation. Before this week's drop, gasoline prices had posted a 7.4% jump in the third quarter, riding increases in crude oil futures after production cuts from Saudi Arabia, Russia and other OPEC+ members. U.S. wholesale gasoline prices are tumbling, with percentage drops per gallon on Wednesday between 6.9% and 10.8%. A flurry of weak economic data took more wind out of the market. Crude futures settled an eye-popping $5 a barrel lower on Wednesday, and fell another $1.66 on Thursday.

Persons: Bing Guan, JP Morgan, Tom Kloza, Kloza, Laura Sanicola, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Mobil, REUTERS, U.S . Energy, Administration, U.S ., Midwest, Oil Price Information Service, ADP, Oil, Thomson Locations: Beverly Boulevard, West Hollywood , California, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S . East Coast, East

Oil pump jacks are seen at the Vaca Muerta shale oil and gas deposit in the Patagonian province of Neuquen, Argentina, January 21, 2019. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 4 (Reuters) - Oil edged lower on Wednesday ahead of a panel meeting of OPEC+ ministers, as the market weighed expectations of supply tightness against fears that high interest rates could reduce fuel demand. Brent crude oil futures dipped 6 cents to $90.86 a barrel by 0345 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) , fell 5 cents to $89.18 per barrel. "A resilient labour market is deemed to be providing more room for the Federal Reserve (Fed) to keep rates high for longer," said Yeap Jun Rong, market analyst at IG. Eight analysts polled by Reuters estimated on average that crude inventories fell by about 500,000 barrels in the week to Sept. 29.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, Jun Rong, Brian Martin, Daniel Hynes, Alexander Novak, Laura Sanicola, Muyu Xu, Gerry Doyle, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Federal Reserve, IG, of, Petroleum, ANZ, Reuters, Industry, American Petroleum Institute, Thomson Locations: Vaca, Patagonian, Neuquen, Argentina, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Asia, Turkey, United States, .

A view shows oil pump jacks outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 3 (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped 1% in early Asian trade on Tuesday, after falling to a three-week low in the previous session, on a stronger U.S. dollar, rising U.S. bond yields and mixed supply signals. "(Brent) crude oil prices slid to (around) $90 a barrel as rising US yields and a stronger US dollar dominated market sentiment," ANZ analysts said in a client note. Higher interest rates along with a stronger dollar also makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies, which could dent oil demand. BMI Research analysts said "given that the global economy is slowing, the group will likely want to maintain their current cuts, while signposting the scope for further reductions, if market conditions demand it."

Persons: Alexander Manzyuk, Brent, Laura Sanicola, Trixie Yap, Shri Navaratnam, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, . West Texas, ANZ, U.S ., U.S, Reserve, BMI Research, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, Iraq, OPEC

An Aramco employee walks near an oil tank at Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura oil refinery and oil terminal in Saudi Arabia May 21, 2018. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 29 (Reuters) - Oil prices settled 1% lower on Friday due to macroeconomic concerns and profit taking, but rose about 30% in the quarter as OPEC+ production cuts squeezed global crude supply. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) settled down 92 cents to $90.97, up 1% in the week and 29% in the quarter. While the total rig count fell by 51 in the third quarter, the cuts have slowed compared with a reduction of 81 in the second quarter as oil prices have rebounded due to tightening supplies. The supply cuts announced by Saudi Arabia and Russia are expected to dominate oil prices for the remainder of this year.

Persons: Ahmed Jadallah, Brent, WTI, John Kilduff, Lael Brainard, Baker Hughes, Suvro Sarkar, Robert Harvey, Katya Golubkova, Sonali Paul, Mark Potter, Paul Simao, Jan Harvey, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, . West Texas, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Energy Information Administration, Investors, White, Evergrande, HK, Reuters, Aramco, National Australia Bank, DBS Bank, Thomson Locations: Aramco, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, New York, U.S, Brent, OPEC, Russia

An aerial view shows oil tanks of Transneft oil pipeline operator at the crude oil terminal Kozmino on the shore of Nakhodka Bay near the port city of Nakhodka, Russia June 13, 2022. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) climbed 36 cents, or 0.4%, to $90.02. The Fed on Wednesday maintained interest rates, but stiffened its hawkish stance, projecting a quarter-percentage-point increase to 5.50-5.75% by year-end. "The Fed stance and a strong labor market has driven equities and commodities lower, pressuring oil," said Kilduff. Oil prices remained supported by concern about tight supply globally entering the fourth quarter.

Persons: Tatiana Meel, Brent, refiners, Tamas Varga, Vargas, John Kilduff, Paul Carsten, Natalie Grover, Laura Sanicola, Trixie Yap, Sonali Paul, Jane Merriman, Alexandra Hudson, David Gregorio Our Organizations: . West Texas, . Federal, Fed, U.S ., U.S . Labor Department, Bank of England, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: Nakhodka, Russia, Russian, ., New York, Norway's, Cushing, London

Brent crude settled down 1 cent to $90.64 a barrel while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude settled down 22 cents to $87.29. "Much of this reduced supply has simply served to offset a major slowdown in global oil demand," said Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and Associates in Galena, Illinois. Meanwhile, Europe is expecting a light refinery maintenance season this autumn as refiners look to profit from high margins, which could support crude demand. The IEA last month lowered its 2024 forecast for oil demand growth to 1 million bpd, citing lacklustre macroeconomic conditions. OPEC's August report, meanwhile, kept its 2.25 million bpd demand growth forecast unchanged.

Persons: Brent, Wally Adeyemo, Jim Ritterbusch, Ras Lanuf, Wood Mackenzie, Naeem Aslam, OPEC's, Robert Harvey, Natalie Grover, Florence Tan, Emily Chow, Emelia Sithole, Andrea Ricci, Chizu Organizations: cnsphoto, REUTERS, West Texas, Monday U.S, Ritterbusch, Associates, U.S, Zaye, European Central Bank, International Energy Agency, Organization of, Petroleum, IEA, Thomson Locations: Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Russia, United States, Galena , Illinois, U.S, Libya, Zueitina, Brega, Es Sidra, Europe

NEW YORK, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Oil prices settled higher on Wednesday, reversing early declines as traders anticipated further draws on U.S. crude oil inventory following extended production cuts in Saudi Arabia and Russia. Brent crude futures settled up 56 cents to $90.60 a barrel while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) futures settled up 85 cents to $87.54. "We have pretty low crude supplies in the U.S., with several weeks of big crude oil draws pushing prices up," said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures also at Mizuho. On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia and Russia extended voluntary oil supply cuts to year end. Oil prices were down early on rate-hike concerns and investor worries about the economy after data showed the ISM non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) came in at 54.5, compared with expectations of 52.5.

Persons: Brent, Bob Yawger, Paul Carsten, Mohi Narayan, Arathy, David Evans, Jason Neely, Nick Zieminski, Nick Macfie, David Gregorio Our Organizations: West Texas, Mizuho, American Petroleum Institute, U.S . Energy, Administration, Labor, Saudi, REUTERS, Brent, PMI, IIR Energy, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S, Volgograd, Iran, Venezuela, Libya, London, New Delhi, Houston

Brent crude was down 36 cents at $84.10 a barrel by 11:45 a.m. EDT (1545 GMT). China, the world's second-largest economy, is considered crucial to shoring up oil demand over the rest of the year. Amplifying demand concerns, U.S. central bank officials have not ruled out further interest rate hikes to contain inflation. A preliminary Reuters poll showed that crude oil and gasoline inventories were expected to have fallen last week, with data from American Petroleum Institute due later on Tuesday. Separately on Monday, Shell (SHEL.L) said it was investigating a possible leak on the 180,000 bpd Trans Niger oil pipeline, though no force majeure has been declared.

Persons: Lucy Nicholson, Brent, Jim Ritterbusch, majeure, Natalie Grover, Paul Carsten, Muyu Xu, Katya Golubkova, Tomasz Janowski, David Evans, David Goodman, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Companies Shell, West Texas Intermediate, Saudi, Ritterbusch, Associates, American Petroleum Institute, of Commerce, Shell, Thomson Locations: Bakersfield , California, China, Russian, Galena , Illinois, U.S, Iraqi, Turkey, Iraq, Saudi, Niger, London, Singapore, Tokyo

Consumers purchase gasoline at a gas station as a plane approaches to land at the airport in San Diego, California October 8, 2012. National retail gasoline prices will average $3.90 a gallon this month, predict analysts at Goldman Sachs. Jones said he was relieved prices were not close to the $5 a gallon level of last summer. Total U.S. gasoline stocks this month fell to 216.4 million barrels, the fifth decline in six weeks, according to U.S. government data. Reporting by Laura Sanicola and Shariq Khan; editing by Stephanie Kelly and Aurora EllisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mike Blake, Goldman Sachs, Martin Jones, Jones, Irving Oil's, Patrick De Haan, Laura Sanicola, Shariq, Stephanie Kelly, Aurora Ellis Organizations: REUTERS, Consumers, American Automobile Association, Toyota Corolla, Washington , D.C, U.S . Midwest, Total U.S, U.S . National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, Hurricanes, Thomson Locations: San Diego , California, California, Washington, Massachusetts, Washington ,, U.S, Ohio, Michigan, Whiting , Indiana, New Brunswick, Canada, Trainer ,, Texas, Gulf

Both benchmarks have been on a sustained rally since June, with West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) trading on Thursday at its highest this year and Brent hitting its highest price since January. Brent crude fell $1.15, or 1.3%, to settle at $86.40 a barrel while WTI settled down $1.58, or 1.9%, at $82.82. Oil prices have been boosted in recent days by extensions to output cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia, alongside supply fears driven by the potential for conflict between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea region to threaten Russian oil shipments. The U.S. is also prohibiting some investment in China in sensitive technologies like computer chips and requires government notification in other tech sectors. Thursday's U.S. consumer prices data for July fuelled speculation the Federal Reserve is nearing the end of its aggressive rate hike cycle.

Persons: Johan Sverdrup, Carina Johansen, NTB, Brent, WTI, John Kilduff, John Ritterbusch, Natalie Grover, Muyu Xu, Mark Potter, Elaine Hardcastle, Andy Sullivan Organizations: West Texas, Federal Reserve, Ritterbusch, Associates, Thomson Locations: North, Saudi, Russian, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Ukraine, China, U.S, New York, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf, Mexico, Galena , Illinois, London, Singapore

Brent crude fell 20 cents, or 0.2%, to $87.35 a barrel by 0006 GMT, after settling at its highest since Jan. 27 in the previous session. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) fell 23 cents, or 0.3%, to $84.17, after settling at its highest since November 2022. Chinese data on Tuesday showed crude oil imports in July fell 18.8% from the previous month to their lowest daily rate since January. China's consumer sector also fell into deflation and factory-gate prices extended declines in July, as the world's second-largest economy struggled to revive demand. Also supporting prices were top exporter Saudi Arabia's plans to extend its voluntary production cut of 1 million barrels per day for another month to include September.

Persons: Johan Sverdrup, Carina Johansen, NTB, Brent, Laura Sanicola, Muralikumar Organizations: West Texas, Saudi, Investors, U.S, Consumer, Index, Thomson Locations: North, Saudi, Russian, Russia, Washington

[1/3] U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm delivers a speech during the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston, Texas, U.S., March 8, 2023. REUTERS/Callaghan O'Hare/File PhotoWASHINGTON, July 28 (Reuters) - The largest U.S. solar power site and other clean energy projects could be built on lands owned by the Department of Energy, including where components for Cold War-era atomic bombs were developed, the agency said on Friday. The administration wants the U.S. grid to run on clean energy by 2035. The event included developers of renewable power and nuclear power, involving participants with experience implementing clean electricity projects generating at least 200 megawatts. Reporting by Timothy Gardner and Laura Sanicola in Washington Editing by Marguerita ChoyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Energy Jennifer Granholm, Callaghan O'Hare, Jennifer Granholm, Granholm, Joe Biden's, Hanford, Timothy Gardner, Laura Sanicola, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Energy, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, Department of Energy, DOE, U.S . Energy, Washington , D.C, Idaho National Laboratory, Nevada Nuclear Security, Manhattan, Thomson Locations: Houston , Texas, U.S, Washington ,, Hanford, Richland , Washington, Idaho, Idaho Falls , Idaho, Nye County , Nevada, Savannah, Aiken , South Carolina, Carlsbad , New Mexico, Washington

July 28 (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped in Asian trade on Friday but were on track for a fifth straight week of gains following strong economic data in the U.S., and on speculation over Chinese stimulus measures and OPEC+ output cuts. Brent crude fell 42 cents, or 0.5%, to $83.82 a barrel by 0404 GMT, but was on track for a weekly 3.5% increase. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 34 cents, or 0.4%, to $79.75 a barrel, but were heading for a 3.6% weekly increase. But recent interest rate increases from global central banks seeking to tame stubborn inflation raised questions about long term demand. Earlier this week oil fell after data showed U.S. crude inventories fell less than expected.

Persons: Brent, Jerome Powell's, Baden Moore, Jim Ritterbusch, Laura Sanicola, Andrew Hayley, Lincoln, Sonali Paul Organizations: . West Texas, Commerce Department, Federal, Organization of, Petroleum, bbl, National Australia Bank, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Ritterbusch, Associates, Thomson Locations: U.S, 3Q23, Saudi, Galena , Illinois, Washington, Beijing

CARACAS, July 21 (Reuters) - Venezuela is not willing to halt productive operations during contract audits that have led to the arrest of businessmen and officials, and to disputes with customers and partners of state company PDVSA, the country's oil minister said on Friday. Earlier this year, contracts with some crude oil buyers were also temporarily suspended while PDVSA reviewed billions of dollars of late payments and pending invoices. "Our goal is to explore, produce, refine and export every product we can," Oil Minister Pedro Tellechea told journalists on the sidelines of a conference in Caracas. Investigations related to the review of unpaid bills have been transferred to the office of Venezuela's General Attorney, Tellechea said. Tellechea also said the country does not currently have suspended contracts, but did not elaborate on the status of exports.

Persons: Wilmer Ruperti, Pedro Tellechea, Tellechea, Maroil, PDVSA, Deisy Buitrago, Mayela Armas, Vivian Sequera, Marianna Parraga, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Oil, Investigations, Reuters, Thomson Locations: CARACAS, Venezuela, PDVSA, Geneva, Caracas, France, China

July 13 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose in early Asian trade on Thursday after U.S. inflation and economic data sparked hopes the Federal Reserve may have fewer interest rate hikes in store for the world's biggest economy. Brent crude futures rose 6 cents to $80.17 per barrel by 0004 GMT and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 4 cents, or $75.79. U.S. data on Wednesday showed consumer prices rose modestly in June, registering the smallest annual increase in more than two years. Markets expect one more interest rate rise, but oil traders hope that may be it because higher rates can slow economic growth and reduce oil demand. Top producer Saudi Arabia pledged last week to extend a production cut of 1 million barrels per day (bpd) in August, while Russia will cut exports by 500,000 bpd.

Persons: Phil Flynn, Laura Sanicola, Jamie Freed Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, Saudi, U.S . Energy, Administration, Price Futures, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S

July 12 (Reuters) - Oil prices settled higher on Wednesday, with benchmark Brent futures breaching $80 a barrel for the first time since May, after U.S. inflation data spurred hopes the Federal Reserve may have fewer interest rate hikes in store for the world's biggest economy. U.S. data showed consumer prices rose modestly in June and registered their smallest annual increase in more than two years. Markets expect one more interest rate rise, but oil traders hope that may be it. Brent futures settled up 71 cents, or 0.9%, to $80.11 a barrel. Forecasts from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) point to the market tightening into 2024.

Persons: Naeem Aslam, Brent, Tamas Varga, Phil Flynn, Natalie Grover, Trixie Yap, Sonali Paul, Barbara Lewis, Emelia, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Zaye, . West Texas, U.S . Energy Information Administration, International Energy Agency, IEA, Saudi, U.S . Energy, Administration, Price Futures, Thomson Locations: China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S, London

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