Oil prices eased on Wednesday after industry data showed U.S. crude stockpiles rose more than expected, though supply worries capped losses. Brent crude futures for December fell $1.03, or 1.1%, to $92.49 a barrel by 0635 GMT, after settling 26 cents higher in the previous session.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for December were down 75 cents, or 0.9%, to $84.57, reversing the previous session's gain. While a rise in crude stockpiles reinforced fears of a global recession that would cut demand, ongoing supply constraints kept prices trading in a narrow range.
"OPEC production cuts effective November and the new EU sanctions on Russian oil to be enforced from December should be positive (for prices)," Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management, .
With respect to the wide WTI-Brent spread in recent sessions, Innes added that WTI buyers are watching for any more interventions by President Joe Biden ahead of the U.S. mid-term elections on Nov. 8.
Biden announced a plan last week to sell off the rest of a record release from the nation's emergency oil reserve by year end as he tries to dampen high gasoline prices.
While smarting from the recent decision by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies led by Russia, together called OPEC+, to cut oil output, the White House on Tuesday welcomed moves by Saudi Arabia to help Ukraine in its war with Russia.
