Oil prices slipped on Friday and were on track for a second weekly decline as concerns receded over the risks of a US-Iran conflict that could affect supply.
Brent crude oil futures were down 12 cents, or 0.2 per cent, at $67.40 a barrel at 0831 GMT after falling 2.7 per cent in the previous session. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 13 cents, or 0.2 per cent, to $62.71 after falling 2.8 per cent.
Brent prices are set to drop 0.8 per cent this week, while WTI is set to fall 1.1 per cent.
Prices gained earlier this week on concerns the US could attack key Middle Eastern producer Iran over its nuclear programme. But comments on Thursday from US President Donald Trump that the US could make a deal with Iran over the next month drove prices lower in the previous session.
Oil prices are lower “amid signs the US is seeking more time to reach a nuclear deal with Iran, reducing the near-term geopolitical risk premium,” IG analyst Tony Sycamore said in a note.
The International Energy Agency on Thursday projected in its monthly report that global oil demand growth this year will be weaker than previously expected, with overall supply set to exceed demand.
“The fact that prices did not extend significantly lower in the face of bearish headlines is noteworthy, suggesting that downside momentum is slowing in the near term,” Linh Tran, Market Analyst at XS.com, said.
Thursday’s decline was amplified by US data showing a massive build in crude stockpiles and growing anticipation that increased Venezuelan supply could soon hit the market, IG’s Sycamore said.
“There is an expectation that Venezuelan oil supply will return to pre-blockade levels in the months ahead,” he said, adding that supply is expected to rise from 880,000 barrels per day to about 1.2 million bpd.
The US Treasury will issue more allowances easing sanctions on Venezuelan energy this week, a White House energy official said on Thursday.
US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said on Thursday that oil sales from Venezuela controlled by the US have totalled over $1 billion since the capture of President Nicolas Maduro in January and in the next few months will bring in another $5 billion
