Oil Dips as Weak Chinese Demand Counters Storm Francine
Oil prices gave up the previous day's gains on Tuesday as weak Chinese demand offset U.S. supply disruptions from Tropical Storm Francine and global oil oversupply risks that continue to weigh on the market.
Brent crude futures were down 79 cents, or 1.1%, at $71.05 a barrel by 0948 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude lost 82 cents, or 1.2%, to $67.89.
Both benchmarks had risen about 1% on Monday.
The U.S. Coast Guard ordered the closure of all operations at Brownsville and other small Texas ports on Monday evening as Tropical Storm Francine barrelled across the Gulf of Mexico. Corpus Christi port remained open with restrictions.
The tropical storm is forecast to strengthen significantly and become a hurricane on Tuesday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Exxon Mobil (XOM.N), said it shut in output at its Hoover offshore production platform while Shell (SHEL.L), paused drilling operations at two platforms. Chevron (CVX.N), also began shutting in oil and gas output at two of its offshore platforms.
However, signs of weakening global demand and expectations of oil oversupply kept the market suppressed.
Source : Reuters
