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The oil and gas sector

Oil prices bounce back on eve of OPEC meeting

The oil and gas sector
The oil and gas sector

Oil prices bounced back in Asia Thursday but trading was cautious on signs the OPEC cartel is divided ahead of a meeting on whether to maintain or slash its high output levels.

The US benchmark West Texas Intermediate closed below $40 a barrel for the first time since late August on Wednesday after data showed an increase in US commercial stockpiles and production, adding to anxiety about a long-running supply glut.

Focus is now on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries meeting in Vienna Friday. Analysts say the 12 members appear to be divided, with Saudi Arabia and its Gulf partners at odds with others pushing for a cut in output in a bid to perk up prices.

WTI for delivery in January was up 70 cents at $40.64 and Brent crude was trading 85 cents higher at $43.34 at around 0630 GMT.

WTI fell 4.6 percent Wednesday while Brent sank 4.4 percent.

Bloomberg News said Venezuela and Ecuador — which have been badly hit by the plunge in prices — would seek production cuts during the meeting.

OPEC has been pumping above its collective target of 30 million barrels per day as its influential members led by Saudi Arabia try to maintain their share of a highly competitive market.

Prices have plunged by more than half from peaks of above $100 a barrel in mid-2014 largely because of the oversupply.

AP

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