By Gina Lee
Investing.com – Oil was mixed Thursday morning in Asia. U.S. Federal Reserve commitments to continue ultra-easy monetary policy and lower levels of U.S. crude production also gave the black liquid a boost.
Brent oil futures inched up 0.02% to $66.19 by 11:45 PM ET (4:45 AM GMT). WTI Futures edged down 0.11% to $63.15, giving up earlier gains but remaining above the $60 mark.
U.S. crude oil supply data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed a build of 1.285 million barrels as of Feb. 19. Forecasts prepared by Investing.com had predicted a 5.190-million-barrel draw, while a 1.026-million-barrel draw was recorded for the previous week.
EIA’s data follows that released by the American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday, which showed a build of 1.026 million barrels.
The unexpected cold snap in Texas during the previous week contributed to a 1 million barrels per day, more than 10%, fall in U.S. crude production, the EIA added. With refinery crude inputs dropping to their lowest level since September 2008, fuel supplies in the world’s largest oil consumer could also tighten.
Meanwhile, the Fed reiterated its commitment to low interest rates for a while, whetting investor risk appetite and giving global shares a boost.
“Comments from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell earlier in the week relating to the need for monetary policy to remain accommodative have probably helped, but sentiment in the oil market has also become more bullish, with expectations for a tightening oil balance,” ING analysts said in a note.
Meanwhile, investors look to the next meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, or OPEC+, scheduled for Mar. 4.
Member states will reportedly discuss a modest easing of oil supply curbs from April onwards, as prices continue their recovery. However, some investors warn of moving ahead to quickly as the battle against COVID-19, and towards fuel demand recovery, remains far from over.