Oil prices flat in Asia on US data and supply concerns

Oil prices were flat in Asia today as investors weighed US petroleum industry data showing a build-up in crude stockpiles and news that shipments from a Libyan port were halted due to tensions.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in December was down one cent at $47.89 and Brent crude for December was trading two cents higher at $50.56 at around 0315 GMT.

The industry-funded American Petroleum Institute said US crude inventories rose by 2.8 million barrels in the week to October 30, according to Bloomberg News.

The industry report comes ahead of the release later today of the official US Energy Department of Energy data on commercial crude stockpiles which is also expected to show an increase.

A build in the stockpiles indicates softer demand in the world's top oil consumer and is negative for prices.

Libya's Petroleum Facilities Guard meanwhile halted crude shipments from Zueitina port indefinitely due to the widening conflict between the strife-torn nation's rival governments, Bloomberg News said.

Tankers seeking to load crude at the port must register with the National Oil Corp. Administration loyal to the internationally recognised government in the country's eastern region, Bloomberg quoted Petroleum Guard spokesman Ali al-Hasy as saying.

"Supply is still the story," Jonathan Barratt, chief investment officer at Ayers Alliance Securities in Sydney, told Bloomberg.

"Geopolitical issues will always put a base under prices and there is a solid range for oil."

Oil prices have fallen by more than half from peaks of over $100 a barrel in June last year.