Crude inventories in the U.S. fell more than forecasted last week just around the time when traders price in prospect of increased global supplies as U.S. and Iran believed to closing talks regarding a nuclear deal that could lift energy export sanctions on Tehran.
The WTI futures is steady up by 0.25% to $89.58 per barrel.
U.S. crude inventories fell by 2.0 million barrels for the week ended Feb. 4. That compared with a draw of 1.6 million barrels reported by the API for the previous week. Economists were expecting a draw of about 675,000 barrels.
The API data also showed that gasoline inventories slipped by 1.1 million barrels last week, and distillate stocks decreased by 2.2 million barrels.
The official government inventory report due Wednesday is expected to show weekly U.S. crude supplies rose by about 369,000 barrels last week.
