Brent advanced by 16 cents, or 0.2% to $100.77 a barrel, WTI gained 35 cents, or 4%, to $96.37 a barrel.

OPEC's 13 members raised output by 60,000 b/d to 28.73 million b/d, but that was more than offset by a 160,000 b/d decline by the bloc's nine allies, who pumped 13.91 million b/d.

Novak is Russia's key negotiator in the OPEC+ group, which has resisted calls from consumers to increase production.

U.S. commercial crude oil inventories increased by 2.4 million barrels to 412.4 million barrels.

Brent climbed $1.05 or 1.%, to $102.12 a barrel, WTI rose 86 cents, or 0.9%, to $97.09 a barrel.

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $106.13 a barrel

Fuel oil represented the bulk of the exports to China, with 394,200 mt exported, 43.6% higher on the month. Diesel exports recorded similar growth of 39.5% to 343,100 mt. Bitumen and residue amounted to 18,700 mt, marking a 34.9% increase on February. Overall, 756,900 mt of oil products headed to China last month.

Brent were up 49 cents, or 0.5%, at $107.13 a barrel , WTI climbed 21 cents, or 0.2%, to $102.17 a barrel.

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $106.23 a barrel

Iranian Minister of Petroleum Javad Owji said the current capacity of oil production in Iran has exceeded 3.8 million barrels per day, reaching the pre-sanctions levels.