Oil steady as market weighs Venezuela, Russia supply risks

Oil prices held steady on Tuesday after rising more than 2% in the previous session, as the US said it might sell the Venezuelan crude it has seized, while Ukraine’s attacks on Russian vessels and piers heightened fears of supply disruption. Brent crude futures edged lower by 6 cents, or 0.1%, to $62.01 per barrel by 0440 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude slipped 9 cents, or 0.16%, to $57.92. On Monday, Brent posted its best daily performance in two months and WTI climbed the most since November 14. “Crude oil markets are grinding through the final weeks of 2025 with prices largely subdued, reflecting a tug-of-war between persistent bearish fundamentals and intermittent bullish headlines,” Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at brokerage Phillip Nova, said in a note.