LONDON: OPEC failed to agree on output policy or set an output ceiling at its meeting on Thursday, but Saudi Arabia promised not to flood the oil market with excess barrels.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari cancelled at the last minute what would have been his first visit to the restive Niger Delta region, a potential setback to efforts to quell violence in the region that has cut oil production.
US crude stocks fell last week by 1.4 million barrels, less than forecast, while gasoline and heating oil posted much larger than expected drops.
Strikes in France entering their third week have shut down four of Total's five refineries, while strikes at nuclear plants also cut French power output, potentially increasing its need for diesel-powered generators.
ANGOLA
Fewer than 10 July loading cargoes were left as Asian buyers snapped them up more quickly than expected.
June loadings for Asia slipped, but the bulk of the decline was in Nigerian cargoes heading for India.
Traders said prices for Angolan oil were high relative to other regions.
Angolan Oil Minister Jose Botelho de Vasconcelos said on Thursday that an oil price of $60 was not bad, but "$80 would be better."
NIGERIA
Nigerian oil minister Emmanuele Ibe Kachikwu said the country's current oil production is 1.6 million bpd, despite fresh militant attacks this week and over the weekend.
Qua Iboe production was back to roughly 300,000 bpd, according to traders, but ExxonMobil said the force majeure was still in place.
Force majeure was also still in place on Shell's Forcados and Bonny Light, though cargoes of the latter stream were loading with delays.
The European strikes had cut European demand, while plentiful oil availability in Asia made shipments east difficult.
June loading Bonga and Bonny Light were still on offer.
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