SINGAPORE: Oil prices held above $43 a barrel in Asia Thursday after US commercial crude supplies rose at a slower pace, while jitters lingered over the shooting down by Turkey of a Russian warplane.
Data from the US Department of Energy released Wednesday showed the country's commercial crude supplies rose by 1.0 million barrels for the week ending November 20.
The increase for a ninth straight week kept supplies more than 100 million barrels above the five-year seasonal average and further confirmed the supply glut that has depressed prices for over a year.
However, analysts noted that the increase was not as great as in previous rises and could be positive for prices in the longer term.
The inventories data was followed by a report from oil field services firm Baker Hughes showing the number of US oil drilling rigs in operation fell by nine to 555, indicating an easing of activity.
"US crude oil inventories are not increasing as much as before, so this is giving the market some bullish sentiment," said Daniel Ang, an investment analyst with Phillip Futures in Singapore.
At around 0650 GMT, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in January was up 10 cents at $43.14 and Brent crude for January was trading eight cents lower at $46.09, reversing gains in the morning.
Ang said a report that durable goods orders in the United States, a barometer of the health of the world's biggest economy, came in better than expected was also helping to lift sentiment.
Prices rose after Turkey downed a Russian warplane on the Syrian border on Tuesday because of fears that any escalation of the conflict would affect crude supplies.
"There are still tensions going on and they are giving a bullish push to prices," Ang said. "Tensions are still playing a part in the whole oil landscape."
Russia on Wednesday accused Turkey of a "planned provocation" and a rescued pilot of the targeted jet said that no warning had been given.
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