Investing.com - Crude oil prices struggled for direction but settle higher as investor focus shifted to U.S. crude inventory data expected to show a draw in domestic oil supplies.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange crude futures for May delivery rose 30 cents to settle at $66.52 a barrel, while on London's Intercontinental Exchange, Brent gained 12 cents to trade at $71.55 a barrel.
Easing geopolitical tensions pressured oil prices as traders continued to rein in their bets on potential supply disruptions amid no further signs of U.S. military action in Syria and U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to scrap plans to impose fresh sanctions on Russia.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said earlier in the week that U.S. planned sanctions against Moscow will "be coming down" on Monday.
Trump, however, deemed a fresh round of sanctions against Russia unnecessary because Moscow did not follow through on its pledge to intercept U.S. missile in Syria, The New Times reported Monday, citing an anonymous White House official.
Some said that U.S. sanctions against Russia raised the prospect of an OPEC deal extension as the measures have pressured Russia ruble, incentivising the oil exporter to favour higher prices rather than increased production – which has been curbed by the OPEC-led deal.
“Renewed sanctions have led to a selloff in the Russian USD/RUB, potentially changing the decision tree path for Russia as we approach the next OPEC meeting on June 22,” Bank of American Merril Lynch said. “The ruble drop gives Russia a good reason to deepen its ongoing cooperation with OPEC.”
Easing geopolitical tensions, however, were offset by expectations that the Energy Information Administration weekly report due Wednesday will show U.S. crude oil inventories fell by 1.429 million barrels last week.