PERTH, May 22- U.S. crude futures prices fell below $96 a barrel on Wednesday after an unexpected increase in U.S. gasoline stockpiles ahead of the summer driving season in the world's largest oil consumer. July oil futures contract fell 44 cents to $95.74 a barrel by 0028 GMT.
NEW YORK, May 21- Crude prices fell on Tuesday, led lower by a sharp drop in U.S. gasoline futures as traders bet the market would be well supplied this summer, and as an industry report showed rising fuel stockpiles in the world's largest oil consumer.
NEW YORK, May 21- Crude oil futures ended lower on Tuesday, falling early as the dollar strengthened, then paring losses as the greenback weakened after a Federal Reserve official said he did not believe the U.S. central bank should pull back on its quantitative easing program.
NEW YORK/ LONDON, May 21- Brent crude oil futures fell below $104 per barrel on Tuesday in New York, as investors worried that the U.S. Operations were unaffected at the U.S. crude futures hub in Cushing, Oklahoma, about 77 miles northeast of Moore, after a vicious tornado ripped through the area.
LONDON, May 21- Brent oil futures fell towards $104 per barrel on Tuesday on concerns that the U.S. Investors are focussing on the release of minutes of the Fed's last meeting and testimony by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke to Congress, both scheduled for Wednesday.
WASHINGTON- Two senior White House aides knew weeks ago that a probe of the Internal Revenue Service had found that the U.S. tax agency had inappropriately targeted conservative groups, but did not tell President Barack Obama, a White House spokesman said on Monday.
*Fresh conflict in Syria supports prices. CHENNAI, India, May 21- Brent crude futures steadied near a two-week high on Tuesday, holding around $105 per barrel as rising Middle East tensions offset concerns about moderating demand growth to keep prices in a tight range.
*Fresh conflict in Syria supports prices. Reports of fresh skirmishes in Syria suggest the civil conflict is at this year's peak, triggering fears it may spread to neighbouring key oil producers, while a weakening dollar added to the support.
PERTH, May 21- U.S. crude futures eased to about $96.50 a barrel in early trading in Asia on Tuesday as ample supplies weighed on prices, despite support from equity markets. *U.S. oil fell 14 cents to $96.57 a barrel by 0023 GMT, after ending 69 cents higher in the previous session. *Brent rose 5 cents to $104.85 a barrel.
"The dollar's move has been pretty strong lately, maybe you're seeing a little more profit taking," said Gene McGillian, an analyst with Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. MSCI's all-country world equity index rose 0.51 percent to its highest since June 2008.
NEW YORK, LONDON, May 20- Crude oil prices rose on Monday, reversing early losses to trade higher by late morning in New York as the dollar weakened, but ample supplies of crude oil were expected to limit gains.
*MSCI world equities highest since 2008. LONDON, May 20- Brent crude oil slipped towards $104 per barrel on Monday on ample supplies, weaker demand for fuel and a strong dollar, despite strong equity markets. Brent crude futures for July were down 55 cents at $104.09 per barrel by 1040 GMT, after three straight sessions of gains.
*MSCI world equities highest since 2008. LONDON, May 20- Brent crude oil held above $104 per barrel on Monday, supported by strong equity markets and a slightly lower dollar, despite a weaker outlook for fuel demand and ample supplies. Brent crude futures for July were down 30 cents at $104.34 per barrel by 0810 GMT, after three straight sessions of gains.
CHENNAI, India, May 20- Brent crude futures held above $104 per barrel on Monday, supported by positive economic data and strong equity markets, while a moderate outlook for demand and ample supplies dragged on prices. "The oil market is getting into what I think will prove to be the top end of the range," said Ric Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC Markets in Sydney.
CHENNAI, India, May 20- Brent crude futures held below $105 per barrel on Monday supported by positive economic data and strong equity markets, while a moderate outlook for demand and ample supplies dragged on prices.
PERTH, May 20- U.S. crude futures were steady in early Asian trading on Monday, holding above $96 a barrel after rallying last week on positive economic data in top oil consumer the United States. *U.S. oil rose 9 cents to $96.11 a barrel by 0047 GMT.
LONDON, May 17- Oil slipped on Friday, staying below $104 a barrel on concern about the strength of demand growth and as policymaker talk of the future removal of U.S. monetary stimulus boosted the dollar. Brent crude slipped 5 cents to $103.73 a barrel by 0825 GMT, and was on course to end the week little changed.
*U.N. says Syria conflict a humanitarian catastrophe. LONDON, May 17- Syria has managed to increase its grain imports in recent months after a period when it was less active on international markets, traders say, a development that suggests President Bashar al-Assad has found a way to feed his people despite war.
*Russia says Iran must take part in proposed Syria talks. SINGAPORE, May 17- Brent futures slipped on Friday, staying below $104 as bleak U.S. economic data revived worries about demand growth in the world's biggest oil consumer, while a stronger dollar also pressured prices. Brent slipped 5 cents to $103.73 a barrel by 0552 GMT.
SINGAPORE, May 17- U.S. crude futures slipped towards $95 a barrel on Friday as disappointing U.S. economic data revived worries over demand in the world's biggest oil consumer. U.S. oil had slipped 9 cents to $95.07 a barrel by 0014 GMT, after settling 86 cents higher.