The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen said early on Monday morning it had intercepted and destroyed an explosive-laden drone fired by the Houthis toward the kingdom.
Brent crude was up 29 cents, or 0.5%, at $61.43 a barrel.
Prices have risen over recent weeks partly owing to oil production cuts from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other producers in the group known as OPEC+.
US crude inventories dropped unexpectedly last week, declining by more than 6 million barrels as refiners increased output to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Energy Information Administration.
Oil prices fell after days of gains fuelled by bets that slowing infections and the rollout of vaccines will boost demand down the line as economies recover.
Asian shares rested at record highs on Thursday as investors digested recent meaty gains, though the promise of endless free money to sustain buying was reaffirmed by benign US inflation data and a very dovish outlook from the Federal Reserve.
The central bank was not against bank mergers as long as it did not hurt competition and supported the idea of having "giant banks", he was quoted as saying.
The deal with Atlas Crest Investment Corp, announced on Wednesday, is expected to provide $1.1 billion of proceeds to the company which makes electric aircraft with vertical take-off and landing.
Separately, United Airlines said it would buy $1 billion of Archer's aircraft, with an option to buy an additional $500 million of aircraft, as part of its decarbonization efforts.
A weaker dollar against most currencies on Monday also supported commodities, with dollar-denominated commodities becoming more affordable to holders of other currencies.
U.S. crude futures were on track for a gain of nearly 9pc for the week, the biggest percentage gain since October. Brent was on track for 6pc weekly gain.
