Oil prices fell slightly in early Asian trading on Wednesday, as signs of shrinking US supplies were offset by economic data that weakened expectations for energy demand.
Price action
Brent crude futures lost 6 cents to $88.01 per barrel by 0300 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 14 cents to $83.60 per barrel.
Record prices fell in each of the previous three sessions.
Figures issued by the American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday reported a decline in US crude supplies by about 2.7 million barrels in the week ending October 20. This contradicts the average opinion of eight analysts polled by Reuters, who estimated that crude inventories increased by about 200,000 barrels per week.
The US government is scheduled to release inventory data later Wednesday.
Meanwhile, business activity data in the euro zone surprisingly fell this month, suggesting that the bloc may slide into recession, which could negatively impact the outlook for oil demand.
Investors are also watching the Middle East region, as traders fear that the expansion of the conflict there will lead to turmoil in oil markets and disrupt supplies.
Countries, including the United States, Canada, Russia and Arab countries, are pressing for an end to the fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip or a ceasefire so that humanitarian aid can be delivered to besieged Palestinian civilians.
