Crude futures eased in midweek despite a large draw in weekly US inventories as worries about global oil demand countered continuing geopolitical tensions in the Persian Gulf.
Oil had initially jumped to its highest level in about a week after the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a hefty decline of 10.8 million barrels in weekly stockpiles.
US inventories have fallen for six straight weeks, clouding the supply outlook at a time of simmering tension in the Persian Gulf that poses a threat to oil flows from the Middle East.
