Brent oil extended losses into a fourth session on Tuesday, with prices hovering close to a more than five-year low above $57 per barrel, as persistent worries about a global supply glut offset concerns about output disruptions in Libya.
Here is a chart, with trading at about 8.50 am GMT (3.50 am ET):
However, forecasts for a 900,000-barrel drawdown last week in oil stocks in top consumer the United States, following a rise to highest recorded December level in the week ended on Dec. 19, checked losses in crude prices. [EIA/S]
Brent for February delivery is curretly traded at less than $57 a barrel, the lowest level since May 2009.
US crude for February delivery fell 3 cents to $53.58 after it settled down $1.12 on Monday, when it hit an intraday low of $52.90 - also the lowest since May 2009.
This long-term chart if the US crude says it all:
"There's no sign of any reduction of output by OPEC," said Ken Hasegawa, commodity sales manager at Tokyo's Newedge Japan.
Traders are now eyeing the weekly U.S. inventory data.
The industry group the American Petroleum Institute is scheduled to release its report later in the day, while the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration will release its data on Wednesday.
"A potential surprise draw in U.S. oil stocks would give a short-term fillip to the upside," said Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist at Sydney's CMC Markets.
Supply disruptions in Libya, which is producing 128,000 barrels per day from fields linked to the eastern port of Hariga after fighting halted operations at the key export ports Es Sider and Ras Lanuf, also supported oil prices.
"Libya is not a major producer but the disruption could be a trigger for a mini-rally," McCarthy said.
Oil prices this year have been hammered by rising global supply and more recently OPEC's reluctance to cut output. Brent is heading for its biggest annual drop while U.S. crude is set to post its biggest decline since 2008.