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Oil prices edge greater after United States stocks develop less than anticipated

Oil prices ticked higher on Thursday after U.S. unrefined inventories rose less than expected recently and fuel stocks saw big draws.

Brent crude futures increased 15 cents to $83.11 a barrel by 0021 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate unrefined futures increased 18 cents to $79.31 a barrel.

The standards edged up about 1% on Wednesday after crude stocks rose for a sixth week in a row, building by 1.4 million barrels, about two-thirds of the 2.1 million-barrel rise experts had forecast in a poll.

Gasoline and extract stocks fell more-than-expected, the EIA information likewise showed.

A strong U.S. dollar will preserve the status quo in the near term, as markets brace for a risk the U.S. Federal Reserve's first rate of interest cut gets delayed to the second half of this year, according to a poll of foreign exchange strategists.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell said continued development on inflation is not guaranteed, though the U.S. reserve bank still expects to minimize its benchmark interest rate this year.

Markets likewise waited for Chinese trade data. Beijing this week stated it is once again aiming for GDP development this year of around 5%. Many experts are sceptical, however, and the efficiency of imports and exports in recent months recommends trade will not be a major chauffeur of the economy.

In an indication of supply tightness, leading oil exporter Saudi Arabia raised the costs for flagship Arab Light crude it offers to Asia in April to $1.70 a barrel above the Oman/Dubai average, trade sources said.