Oil prices rise for a third day

Oil prices rose for a third day on Thursday on expectations for a surge in fuel demand_ particularly in the United States_ Europe and China_ later this year at the same time major producers are maintaining supply discipline.

Brent crude futures were up 49 cents_ or 0.7%_ at $71.84 a barrel by 0233 GMT_ the highest since September 2019. The international benchmark gained 1.6% on Wednesday.

US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 44 cents_ or 0.6%_ to $69.27 a barrel. Prices earlier rose to as much as $69.32_ the most since October 2018_ after gaining 1.5% in the previous session.

The consensus among market forecasters_ including the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies_ known as OPEC+_ is that oil demand will exceed supply in the second half of 2021_ which has spurred the recent run in prices.

OPEC+ data shows that by the end of the year oil demand will be 99.8 million barrels per day (bpd) versus supply of 97.5 million bpd.

This rebalancing will be led by resurgent demand in the United States_ the world's biggest oil user_ from vehicle consumption this summer_ along with rising fuel needs in China_ the world's second biggest oil consumer_ and in the UK as it exits its COVID-19 lockdowns.

"The U.S. driving season is a period that sees higher than normal fuel consumption. UK traffic is now sitting above pre pandemic levels_" CBA commodities analyst Vivek Dhar said in a note. "We continue to see the oil demand recovery led by the U.S._ Europe and China."

OPEC+ agreed on Tuesday continue with plans to ease supply curbs through July.

The OPEC+ meeting last 20 minutes_ the quickest in the grouping's history_ suggesting strong compliance among members and the conviction that demand will recover once the COVID-19 pandemic shows sign of abating.

A slowdown in talks between the U.S. and Iran over the latter's nuclear programme has also reduced expectations for Iranian oil supply to come back to the market this year.

The European Union envoy coordinating the discussions said he believed a deal would be struck at the next round of talks starting next week_ though other diplomats cautioned that difficulties remain.

"The current talks in Vienna to revive the 2015 nuclear accord_ which would see U.S. sanctions on Iran lifted_ now look unlikely to find a resolution_" said CBA's Dhar.