Oil prices edged up slightly in Asia today after tumbling more than two per cent the day before, while a weaker dollar also provided support, although fears about a global supply glut are returning to the fore.
After topping USD 50 a barrel early last month on the back of output disruptions, the cost of crude has tumbled about 15 per cent in recent weeks as the crucial US holiday driving season comes to an end and global demand remains weak.
Traders have been spooked since last week when the US Energy Information Administration said US inventories had fallen less than expected, and that petrol supplies had risen, despite it being peak season for demand in the country.
An increase in the number of rigs coming online -- meaning more production -- has also dented prices.
US benchmark West Texas Intermediate was up 10 cents to USD 43.23 while Brent North Sea was up 18 cents at USD 44.90.
Both main contracts tumbled yesterday with crude touching a three-month low while Brent touched its weakest level since May.
"You can't ignore the size of the inventory overhang," Evan Lucas, a market strategist at IG Ltd in Melbourne, told Bloomberg News.
"The fundamentals don't support a move up through USD 55 to USD 60 a barrel, but we're not seeing a capitulation like we did at the start of the year."
The black gold plunged to near 13-year lows below USD 28 in February, as world markets were crippled by worries over China's economy, weak demand, a global growth slowdown and a supply glut.
