Brent fell $1.14, or 1.2%, to $97.01 a barrel, WTI was at $91.03 a barrel, down $1.06, or 1.2%.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in March, things went from tightness of supply to impending disaster. Russia, through a complex network of pipelines, is the principal supplier of natural gas to Europe and all petroleum products to Germany. Now it has curtailed normal flows.

Berlin is already under serious pressure after Russia cut flows through Nord Stream 1, the key connector with Europe, which is currently running at just 20 per cent capacity.

"Russia needs official confirmation that this and other turbines, which require routine maintenance and repair, will not fall under the sanctions of the EU, Canada and the UK," it said.

Brent fell 49 cents, or 0.5%, to $99.11 a barrel, WTI fell 50 cents, or 0.5%, to $93.84 a barrel.

With nearly half of German homes relying on gas for heating, the country faces potential rationing if it fails to secure sufficient reserves.

Russian oil production in July was only 310,000 b/d below prewar levels, a fall of less than 3 per cent, while total oil exports were down about 580,000 b/d, according to the IEA’s latest monthly oil report.

Brent fell $1.34, or 1.4%, to $95.31 a barrel, WTI dropped $1.25, or 1.4%, to $89.51.

Much of the world isn’t ready to follow US and European efforts to isolate President Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

Brent were down 51 cents, or 0.5%, at $94.41 a barrel, WTI was at $88.58 a barrel, down 43 cents, or 0.5%.