Oil prices keep climbing even as Omicron COVID-19 variant fans out

MELBOURNE : Oil prices rose on Thursday for a third straight day, underpinned by a weaker dollar on optimism about global growth, even as governments from Australia to Europe step up curbs to slow the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained 35 cents, or 0.5per cent, to US$73.11 a barrel at 0244 GMT after jumping 2.3per cent in the previous session.

Brent crude futures climbed 40 cents, or 0.5per cent, to US$75.69 a barrel, extending a 1.8per cent gain in the previous session.

The big gains on Wednesday were partly spurred by a larger-than-expected drawdown in U.S. crude stockpiles last week.

A weaker U.S. dollar buoys oil markets as it makes commodities cheaper for those holding other currencies. The dollar fell to near a one-week low after data on Wednesday showed U.S. consumer confidence improving more than expected in December.

Oil's climb has come even as governments reimposed a range of restrictions to slow the spread of Omicron. The Chinese city of Xian on Wednesday ordered its 13 million residents to stay home, while Scotland imposed gathering limits from Dec. 26 for up to three weeks, and two Australian states reimposed mask mandates as cases surged.

The market has shrugged off the potential impact of mobility restrictions on fuel demand because the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Russia and allies, together called OPEC+, has left the door open to reviewing their plan to add 400,000 barrels per day of supply in January.

"The Omicron variant could still lead to more restrictive measures across Europe and Asia, but prices won't break since OPEC+ can easily adjust their production levels," said OANDA analyst Edward Moya in a note.