Oil prices edge up on OPEC-led supply cuts, lower U.S. drilling activity

By Henning Gloystein

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Oil prices edged up on Monday, supported by ongoing supply cuts from producer club OPEC and Russia and by a drop in U.S. drilling activity.

International futures were at $60.75 per barrel at 0040 GMT, up 27 cents, or 0.5 percent, from their last close.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 22 cents, or 0.4 percent, at $51.81 a barrel.

Economic research firm TS Lombard said oil “prices are likely to stabilize around current levels and quite possibly drift upwards”, pointing to supply cuts from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and some non-OPEC allies, including Russia, as a fundamental driver.

Drillers cut four oil rigs in the week to Jan. 11, bringing the total count down to 873, energy services firm Baker Hughes said in a weekly report on Friday.

However, TS Lombard said oil prices may not rise much higher as “the world economy is now slowing… limiting the scope for positive surprises in oil demand and hampering inventory reduction.”

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