Oil prices rose on Wednesday as supplies from Russia and OPEC members tightened, while data showing an unexpected increase in U.S. jobs openings pointed to expanding economic activity and consequent growth in oil demand.
Brent crude was up 28 cents, or 0.36%, to $77.33 a barrel at 0415 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 40 cents, or 0.54%, to $74.65.
Oil output from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries fell in December after two months of increase, a Reuters survey showed.
Field maintenance in the United Arab Emirates offset a Nigerian output hike and gains elsewhere in the group.
In Russia, oil output averaged 8.971 million barrels a day in December, below the country’s target, Bloomberg reported citing the energy ministry.
On the economic front, job openings rose in the United States in November and the number of layoffs was low, while workers were reluctant to quit, the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey showed.
“Robust U.S. economic data continues to bolster the outlook for the U.S. economy and oil demand, further supported by a larger-than-anticipated drawdown in crude inventories,” said IG market strategist Yeap Jun Rong.
