LONDON, May 22 (Reuters) – Brent crude oil dropped to $103
per barrel on Wednesday, after data showing a surprise jump in
U.S. gasoline stockpiles sparked worries that summer demand in
the world’s top oil consumer could be weaker than expected.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration said that
gasoline inventories rose by 3 million barrels last week,
suggesting the U.S. domestic fuel market was well supplied for
the peak driving season, in line with data from the American
Petroleum Institute on Tuesday.

LONDON, May 21 (Reuters) – Brent oil futures fell towards
$104 per barrel on Tuesday on concerns that the U.S. Federal
Reserve might scale back its quantitative easing programme,
which could damage fragile demand.

Comments by Fed officials and upbeat U.S. data last week
fuelled speculation the central bank might start to reduce its
bond purchases this year.

LONDON/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A European probe into possible oil price manipulation expanded with the investigation of a small niche trading house in the Netherlands and a key U.S. senator on Friday called for the Justice Department to join the investigation.

Dutch trading house Argos Energies, a mid-sized trading company that deals in physical oil products and owns storage facilities, was visited by inspectors from the European Commission on Tuesday, a source familiar with the investigation said on Friday.

LONDON, May 17 (Reuters) – The European Commission
investigation into possible oil price manipulation extended
beyond three major companies to a smaller niche trading house,
while a Finnish refinery said it had been asked for information.

Dutch trading house Argos Energies is being investigated by
the European authorities, a source familiar with the
investigation said on Friday.

LONDON (Reuters) – Oil trading houses are poised to gain more control of Europe’s fuel supply as its refiners close, and the shutdowns could have a significant impact on prices and energy security, the West’s energy agency said on Tuesday.

The International Energy Agency foresees a seismic shift in global refining as countries such as India and Saudi Arabia build new capacity.

LONDON, May 14 (Reuters) – Oil trading houses are poised to
gain more control of Europe’s fuel supply as its refiners close,
and the shutdowns could have a significant impact on prices and
energy security, the West’s energy agency said on Tuesday.

The International Energy Agency foresees a seismic shift in
global refining as countries such as India and Saudi Arabia
build new capacity.

LONDON, May 7 (Reuters) – Brent crude oil fell below $105
per barrel on Tuesday, after the risk premium caused by an
Israeli air strike on Syria faded.

The benchmark hit its highest in nearly a month above $105
in the previous session on fears of supply disruption following
Israeli air strikes on Syria close to Damascus.

LONDON, April 30 (Reuters) – Brent oil fell towards $103 per
barrel on Tuesday, weighed by worries about the demand outlook,
though losses were capped on hopes that the U.S. Federal Reserve
and European Central Bank may do more to stimulate the global
economy.

Brent dropped 26 cents to $103.55 a barrel by 0916
GMT, after earlier touching a low of $103.41. U.S. crude was 1
cent lower at $94.49 a barrel, on track to end the month down
nearly 3 percent.

LONDON, April 23 (Reuters) – Brent crude oil fell below $99
a barrel on Tuesday after weaker-than-expected manufacturing
data from China and Germany darkened the outlook for fuel
demand.

June Brent crude was down $1.51 to $98.88 a barrel
by 0829 GMT, while U.S. crude for June delivery was down
$1.27 at $87.92.

LONDON, April 18 (Reuters) – Brent crude oil jumped by more
than a dollar to $99 a barrel on Thursday, snapping a
six-session losing streak, with dealers saying it looked
oversold after losing 10 percent this month.

Oil earlier fell to a fresh nine-month low amid a wider
commodities rout triggered by data on Monday showing growth in
China had slowed unexpectedly in the first three months of 2013.