Oil rises briefly to $81 then pares gains as IEA sees adequate supply
The International Energy Agency forecasts slower oil demand growth with Brent heading for first weekly drop in five weeks
London — Oil rose to $81 a barrel on Friday, rebounding after two days of declines, though prices pared gains after another closely watched forecaster deemed supply adequate and the outlook for demand weakening. Crude was still heading for its first weekly drop in five weeks, pressured by a big rise in US inventories and fading concerns that looming US sanctions on Iran will cut supplies significantly. A monthly report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) said the oil market looked “adequately supplied for now” after a big rise in production and trimmed its forecasts for world oil demand growth this year and next. “This is due to a weaker economic outlook, trade concerns, higher oil prices and a revision to Chinese data,” said the IEA, which advises industrialised countries on energy policy. International benchmark Brent crude rose 76c to $81.02 a barrel by 8.30am GMT, having dropped by 3.4% on Thursday. US crude added 71c to $71.68. Brent is still on course for a 3.7% decline t...
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