Crude stocks swelled by 5.4 million barrels, surprising analysts who had expected a decrease of 800,000 barrels
Oil prices edged up on Thursday to extend gains into a third straight session, as tensions in West Asia stoked fears of potential disruptions to supply.
Brent crude futures were at $72.04 a barrel at 0110 GMT, up 27 cents, or 0.4 per cent, from their last close. Brent closed up 0.7 per cent on Wednesday.
United States (US) West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $62.27 per barrel, up 25 cents, or 0.4 per cent, from their previous settlement. WTI closed up 0.4 per cent in the previous session.
