World oil markets are unexpectedly tight as growth in advanced economies picks up, the IEA warned on Thursday, urging OPEC to skip a seasonal output drop as stocks touch six-year lows.
President Nicolas Maduro vowed Wednesday to tighten security in cities across Venezuela after protests against his government turned deadly, killing three people and injuring 26 others.
Crude edged higher in Asian trade Thursday on supply concerns following escalating violence in oil-producer South Sudan, but gains were capped as dealers sat on the sidelines awaiting fresh leads after the festive season.
OPEC is set to stick to its oil output limit at a meeting here on Wednesday, even as Iraq and Iran eye higher crude exports amid slashed Libyan production.
The OPEC oil cartel was widely expected on Friday to maintain its collective output ceiling amid lingering worries over the health of global energy demand.