The sun sets beyond an oil pumping unit, also known as a "nodding donkey" or pumping jack, at a drilling site operated by Tatneft OAO near Almetyevsk, Russia.
Oil prices rose in early trade on Thursday, slightly paring the previous session's losses after the United States said it would reinstate oil sanctions Venezuela, while the European Union talked of fresh curbs on Iran.
The U.S. said it would not renew a license set to expire on Thursday that had broadly eased Venezuela oil sanctions, moving to reimpose punitive measures in response to President Nicolas Maduro's failure to meet his election commitments.
Looking to prevent a wider conflict, European Union leaders decided on Wednesday to step up sanctions against Iran.
According to JP Morgan estimates, worldwide oil consumption so far in April has averaged 101 million bpd, or 200,000 bpd below its own forecast.
Persons:
OAO, Brent, Nicolas Maduro's, Morgan
Organizations:
ANZ Research, European Union, Iran, The U.S . House, Federal
Locations:
Almetyevsk, Russia, States, Venezuela, European, Iran, U.S, United States, Israel, The, Ukraine