Oil prices fell on Monday as news of another weekly increase in U.S. drilling activity spread concern over rising output just as many of the world’s oil producers are trying to comply with a deal to pump less to try to prop up prices.
The number of active U.S. oil rigs rose to the highest since November 2015 last week, according to Baker Hughes data, showing drillers are taking advantage of oil prices above $50 a barrel.
Global benchmark Brent crude oil prices were down 24 cents at $55.28 a barrel at 1438 GMT, while U.S. crude futures traded down 25 cents at $52.92.
“Oil prices are down because of the rise in the U.S. rig count,” said Tamas Varga, analyst at PVM Oil Associates in London.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producers including Russia agreed to cut output by almost 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in the first half of 2017 to relieve a two-year supply overhang.
via Reuters
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