Oil prices steadied in early Asian trade on Tuesday after falling on strong US manufacturing data that raised worries about further interest rate hikes dampening demand, while analysts predicted another build in American crude inventories.
Brent crude futures for April, due to expire on Tuesday, lost 20 cents to $82.25 per barrel by 0137 GMT, extending a 0.9% loss in the previous session. The more active May contract picked up 4 cents to $82.08 per barrel.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained 11 cents to $75.79 a barrel.
