Oil hits 11-month high after fall in U.S. crude stocks

[February 03, 2021]  By Shadia Nasralla

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil hit an 11-month high on Wednesday, boosted by a draw in U.S. crude and gasoline stocks, which fuelled demand recovery hopes as OPEC+ has forecast that the market will be in deficit in 2021.

Brent crude futures were up 48 cents, or 0.8%, to $57.94 a barrel at 0839 GMT, their highest since late February 2020.

The contract's "backwardation" structure, where oil for nearby delivery is more expensive than further forward, was near a one-year high at more than $2, indicating expectations of tighter supply.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures climbed 34 cents, or 0.6%, to $55.10 a barrel. The benchmark hit a one-year high at $55.26 on Tuesday.

The market was also bolstered by news that Democrats in the U.S. Congress took the first steps toward advancing President Joe Biden's proposed $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid plan without Republican support.

The API oil industry association reported U.S. crude oil inventories fell by 4.3 million barrels in the week to Jan. 29.[API/S]

The moon rises behind the storage tanks of a local oil refinery in Omsk, Russia June 5, 2020. REUTERS/Alexey Malgavko

Gasoline stocks fell by 240,000 barrels, defying analysts' expectations for a build of 1.1 million barrels. Distillate inventories also fell.

U.S. government inventory data is due at 1530 GMT. [EIA/S]

Prices were also buoyed by the latest assessment by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies that the oil market could be in deficit throughout this year, a document seen by Reuters on Tuesday showed.

"Underpinning the bullish sentiment are tightening fundamentals. Ahead of today’s ministerial meeting, OPEC+ hinted that global oil stockpiles will decline below the five-year average by June," PVM analysts said.

The ministerial meeting will convene on Wednesday, although it is not expected to recommend any adjustments to oil output policy.

(Additional reporting by Shu Zhang and Sonali Paul. Editing by Jane Merriman)

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