Oil prices eased on Thursday after US data showed a surprise build in crude stockpiles last week, confirming an industry report.
The US Energy Information Administration said crude inventories rose 2.0 million barrels last week. Analysts in a Reuters poll had forecast a 1.3-million barrel draw, and the American Petroleum Institute on Wednesday reported a 3 million-barrel increase. Brent futures remained in oversold territory after dropping to their lowest since mid June earlier this week. Brent's Relative Strength Index was under 30 for a fifth straight day for the first time since March. WTI was in oversold territory for a fourth day.
In a further bearish sign, leading commodity traders were booking tankers to store crude oil and diesel.