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OIL prices were higher in Asian trade on Wednesday ahead of the release of the US government's weekly energy stockpiles report, dealers said.
In afternoon trade, New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in May, rose 61 cents to 101.83 (S$140) dollars per barrel. The contract closed up 36 cents at 101.22 in floor trading on Tuesday at the New York Mercantile Exchange.
London's Brent North Sea crude for May delivery climbed 44 cents to 101.04 dollars a barrel, after settling at 100.60 dollars on Tuesday.
The market still has worries over US energy demand remain, despite the rebound in oil prices, dealers said.
'Momentum is bearish for the first time in seven weeks,' commodity analysts from Societe Generale bank said in a report.
'It is possible that the current correction in oil prices could continue, given seasonal weakness in crude demand and product demand,' they said.
US energy demand typically slows after the peak winter period season and picks up just before the start of June, when the summer driving season begins.
The US government's energy report, an indicator of demand in the world's biggest oil user, is due out later in the day.
'There could always be a surprise in the stockpiles report, and the market is focusing on that now,' said Tony Nunan, of Mitsubishi Corp's international petroleum business in Tokyo.
Societe Generale projects US crude reserves will show a rise of 1.8 million barrels last week.
New York crude hit a record trading high of 111.80 dollars a barrel on March 17 while Brent scored a historic peak of 108.02 earlier this month as the dollar dived against the euro.
The weak dollar boosts demand for dollar-priced commodities, because it makes them more affordable for buyers using stronger currencies. -- AFP
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