Iran, an OPEC member whose oil exports have dwindled since the re-imposition of US sanctions in 2018, began in April indirect talks with the US in Vienna amid hopes for Washington to rejoin the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal.

Brent were 65 cents, or 0.96%, higher at $68.21 a barrel. WTI ticked up 62 cents, or 0.1%, to $65.11 a barrel.

Daily average production was up 2% from 10.26 million b/d in March. Total output in March was 43.4 million mt. Increases in month-on-month output volumes in early 2021 reflect gradual increases in Russia's crude production quota agreed under the OPEC + deal from the beginning of the year.

U.S. commercial crude oil inventories increased by 0.1 million barrels from the previous week to 493.1 million barrels,

U.S. Rig Count is up 2 from last week to 440, Canada Rig Count is down 4 from last week to 51

U.S. Rig Count is down 1 from last week at 438, Canada Rig Count is down 1 from last week to 55

Brent rose 42 cents, or 0.6%, to $65.82 a barrel. WTI jumped 51 cents, or 0.8%, to $61.94 a barrel.

OPEC+ officials said they see no reason to be alarmed, and the group's production is set to rise anyway.

Brent declined 95 cents, or 1.4%, to $65.62 a barrel. WTI fell 93 cents, or 1.4%, to $61.74 a barrel.

U.S. commercial crude oil inventories increased by 0.6 million barrels from the previous week to 493.0 million barrels,

Baker Hughes Company Announces First Quarter 2021 Results

First quarter revenue of US$964 million was stronger despite the contractual 3-month lag in oil-linked LNG prices and lower overall sales volumes

Brent declined 95 cents, or 1.4%, to $65.62 a barrel. WTI fell 93 cents, or 1.4%, to $61.74 a barrel.

The Sinopec award comes on the heels of an agreement between Iraq and Total to jointly work on developing four associated gas and solar power projects.

Preliminary production figures for March 2021 show an average daily production of 2 094 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate.