US crude inventories drop and send oil prices near 2016 highs

According to the latest report, the US crude futures advanced for a third consecutive day on Wednesday, reaching new 2016 highs. The US benchmark posting a nearly 11-month closing record. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, West Texas Intermediate crude for July delivery added +0.62%  and rose 87 cents, or 1.7%, to settle at $51.23—showing the highest close for a nearby contract since July 15. Meanwhile, August Brent crude, increased 0.42% the global oil benchmark, reaching $1.07, or 2.1%, to finish at $52.51 a barrel on London's ICE Futures exchange, its highest close since October.

According to the analysts, futures were affected in a positive way boosted by reports of another attack on oil facilities in Nigeria. They were also buoyed by data from an industry trade group, the American Petroleum Institute, which on Tuesday said that US crude inventories had fallen by 3.6 million barrels. Also, crude found support from continued supply disruptions, as well as China import data and a decline in crude inventories.

By the way, prices have nearly doubled since hitting 13-year lows earlier in this year mostly since companies have slashed spending on new drilling, and unplanned outages in Nigeria and Canada helped reduce the global oversupply of crude.