Oil prices rise after report shows drop in US stocks

Oil prices rose on Thursday after US data showed a surprise decline in inventories, suggesting that a global glut may be ending after moves by Opec to cut production.

Benchmark Brent crude oil was up 70 cents a barrel at $56.54 by 1025 GMT, recovering from a drop of 82 cents on Wednesday. US light crude was 70 cents higher at $54.29 a barrel.

Both benchmarks are near the top of relatively narrow $4 ranges that have contained trade so far this year, reflecting a period of low volatility since the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Oprc's) and other exporters agreed to cut output.

Opec and producers including Russia aim to reduce production by around 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in an attempt to drain an oversupply that has kept prices depressed for more than two years.

So far Opec appears to be sticking to its deal but other producers, notably US shale companies, have increased output, helping swell stocks in the United States, the world's biggest oil consumer.

Industry data on Wednesday showed US crude inventories fell by 884,000 barrels in the week to February 17 to 512.7 million, compared with analyst expectations for an increase of 3.5 million barrels.

US gasoline and distillate fuel stocks also fell, the American Petroleum Institute (API) said.

Tamas Varga, analyst at London brokerage PVM Oil Associates, said oil prices could rally further if the US government's Energy Information Administration (EIA) also reports a fall in inventories when its data is published at 11 a.m. EST (1600 GMT) on Thursday.

“Confirmation of the bullish set of inventory data from the EIA this afternoon will send prices to the upper end of the current trading range,” Varga said. “If, however, the figures disappoint those who have gone long overnight and this morning will likely run for the exit.”

Tony Nunan, risk manager at Mitsubishi Corp, said the market needed to see that stocks outside the United States were also falling for prices to break out of their trading ranges.