However, in conjunction with both lower oil prices and international sanctions, Russia has recently experienced five consecutive quarters of decline in GDP, representing that country's deepest economic downturn since 2008-09.

Brent crude LCOc1 was up 27 cents a barrel at $42.07 at 0957 GMT (0557 EDT). It reached $41.51 on Tuesday, the lowest since April 18. U.S. crude CLc1 added 28 cents to $39.79.

Russian assets are under pressure as concerns resurface that the global oil market is over supplied. After rallying from a record low at the start of the year as crude rebounded, the ruble is the third-worst performer in emerging markets so far this quarter.

Международное рейтинговое агентство Moody's ухудшило свой прогноз по цене нефти марки Brent в 2016 году до 43 долларов за баррель с ожидавшихся ранее 53 долларов за баррель в связи с тем, что высокий уровень добычи нефти значительно превысил рост ее потребления.

Crude oil prices bounced back on Wednesday from steep falls in the previous session as strong Japanese economic growth surprised markets and the business outlook in Australia also seemed to brighten, stoking producer hopes of increased demand.

North Sea Brent crude oil prices averaged $60/barrel (b) in April, a $4/b increase from March and the highest monthly average of 2015. Despite increasing global inventories, several factors contributed to higher prices in April, including indications of higher global oil demand growth, expectations for declining U.S. tight oil production in the coming months, and the growing risk of unplanned supply outages in the Middle East and North Africa.

Eni SPA reported a first-quarter consolidated adjusted operating profit of €1.57 billion, down 55% from first-quarter 2014. The company says the decline was driven by lower crude oil prices, and only partly offset by a better performance recorded in upstream activity and in all other business segments.

BP suffered a sharp slide in first-quarter profits, hit by the plunge in crude prices that has battered revenues across the oil industry.

Brent crude futures have risen 45 percent. If that is sustained or even increased throughout this year, inflation next year could rise significantly, posing questions for policymakers largely committed to ultra-loose policy.

The rebalancing of the global oil market may still be in its early stage with the outlook “only getting murkier”, according to the International Energy Agency, as uncertainties remain about demand and supply responses to the steep drop in prices.