U.S. oil prices extend gains on compliance with output cuts

By Aaron Sheldrick

bTOKYO (Reuters) – U.S. oil rose for a third day on Friday after a survey showed strong compliance with output cuts by OPEC and others including Russia, offsetting concerns about surging U.S. production.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude () was up 32 cents, or 0.5 percent, at $66.12 a barrel by 0108 GMT.

Brent () futures, the global benchmark, were up 19 cents, or 0.3 percent, at $69.84 a barrel.

OPEC oil production rose January from an eight-month low as higher output from Nigeria and Saudi Arabia offset a further decline in Venezuela and strong compliance with a supply reduction pact, a Reuters survey showed. [OPEC/O]

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) pumped 32.4 million barrels per day (bpd) in January, the survey found, up 100,000 bpd from December. Last month’s total was revised down by 110,000 bpd to the lowest since April 2017.

Even so, adherence by producers included in the deal to curb supply rose to 138 percent from 137 percent in December, the survey found, suggesting commitment is not wavering even as oil prices hit their highest level since 2014.

“It underscores the commitment of the cartel, and their Russian partners, to keep a floor under the oil price,” said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at futures brokerage AxiTrader.

That is drawing investors’ focus away from the rise in U.S. production.

U.S. crude output surpassed 10 million bpd in November for the first time since 1970, the Energy Information Administration said this week.

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