Oil drops as OPEC+ delays talks, raising supply alarm

Oil prices fell on Tuesday as concerns over mounting supply returned to the fore after leading producers delayed talks on 2021 output policy that could extend cuts as the coronavirus pandemic continues to sap fuel demand.

Brent crude was down 26 cents, or 0.5% at $47.62 a barrel by 0550 GMT, after dropping more than 1% on Monday. West Texas Intermediate was down by 23 cents, or 0.5% at $45.11 a barrel, having dropped 0.4% in the previous session.

Still, both contracts surged around 27% in November after Covid-19 vaccine developments raised hopes of an economic recovery that could boost fuel demand.

OPEC+ delayed talks on output policy for next year until Thursday, three sources told Reuters, as key players still disagreed on how much oil they should pump amid weak demand.