Oil prices steady but indications rally running out of steam

By Henning Gloystein

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Crude oil prices were broadly unchanged in early trading on Tuesday, as firm demand supported and ample supply dragged, but analysts said there were signs that a recent rally was running out of steam.

Robust demand in Asia as well as due to the driving season in the United States is being met by near record output, especially from the Organisation Of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), although U.S. production seems to have been peaked, at least temporarily.

Front-month Brent crude prices were up 6 cents to $65.58 per barrel by 0120 GMT. U.S. crude prices were up 16 cents at $59.88 a barrel.

Analysts said that big price spikes away from current levels were unlikely.

"Crude oil markets were supported by a reported decline in U.S. production and crude oil inventories last week but prices failed to re-test the highs set earlier in the month," ANZ bank said in a note on Tuesday.

London-based Timera Energy said that the recent oil rally had run out of steam because WTI prices were reaching levels at which producers could operate profitably.

"The fact that WTI prices are approaching LRMC (long-run marginal cost) benchmarks for new investment suggests to us that the recent rally in oil prices may not have much further to run," London-based Timera Energy said.

"If this is correct then the U.S.-dollar is likely to provide a useful indicator as to the next move lower in crude prices. If the U.S.-dollar resumes its climb then oil prices will likely face strong headwinds," they added.

The dollar hit a one-month high against a basket of major currencies on Tuesday after stronger-than-expected underlying U.S. inflation bolstered the Federal Reserve's case for an interest rate hike later this year. The rally followed a 7 percent fall between mid-March and mid-May.

Brent crude prices, by contrast, rallied more than 25 percent between March and mid-May but have moved largely sideways since.

(Editing Ed Davies)