[Editor’s note: This story was updated from a previous version posted at 1:35 p.m. CT Feb. 2.]
Oil hit an 11-month high on Feb. 3, boosted by a draw in U.S. crude and gasoline stocks, which fueled demand recovery hopes as OPEC+ has forecast that the market will be in deficit in 2021.
Brent crude futures were up 48 cents, or 0.8%, to $57.94/bbl at 0839 GMT, their highest since late February 2020.
The contract's "backwardation" structure, where oil for nearby delivery is more expensive than further forward, was near a one-year high at more than $2, indicating expectations of tighter supply.
WTI, the benchmark for U.S. crude futures, climbed 34 cents, or 0.6%, to $55.10/bbl. The benchmark hit a one-year high at $55.26 on Feb. 2.
The market was also bolstered by news that Democrats in the U.S. Congress took the first steps toward advancing President Joe Biden's proposed $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid plan without Republican support.
The API oil industry association reported U.S. crude oil inventories fell by 4.3 million barrels in the week to Jan. 29.
Gasoline stocks fell by 240,000 barrels, defying analysts' expectations for a build of 1.1 million barrels. Distillate inventories also fell.
U.S. government inventory data is due at 1530 GMT.
Prices were also buoyed by the latest assessment by OPEC and allies that the oil market could be in deficit throughout this year, a document seen by Reuters on Feb. 2 showed.
"Underpinning the bullish sentiment are tightening fundamentals. Ahead of today’s ministerial meeting, OPEC+ hinted that global oil stockpiles will decline below the five-year average by June," PVM analysts said.
The ministerial meeting will convene on Wednesday, although it is not expected to recommend any adjustments to oil output policy.
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