[Editor's note: This story was updated at 1:55 p.m. CST July 20.]
Oil prices dipped on July 20 in choppy U.S. trading, as nagging worries about abundant global crude supplies dragged prices lower after an early rally pushed Brent above $50 per barrel (bbl) for the first time since early June.
UPDATE: Oil Prices Fall On Forecast Of Rising OPEC Production For July
Traders predicted prices would hold near current levels ahead of a July 24 meeting between key OPEC and non-OPEC producers in St. Petersburg, Russia. The market has been watching reports that Saudi Arabia, the world's largest crude producer, is considering an additional supply cut to bring markets into balance.
The Financial Times reported July 19 that the Saudis were considering additional cuts, citing a consultant's report. On July 18, Reuters reported the country was committed to working with other countries to draw down stocks, taking into account the surprising increase in production from OPEC members Nigeria and Libya.
RELATED: Russia To Continue Working With OPEC On Oil Market Rebalancing, Source Says
OPEC and non-OPEC allies, including Russia, agreed last year to cut production by 1.8 million bbl/d, which was extended to March 2018.
Brent futures stood at $49.47/bbl at 12:05 p.m. CST (17:05 GMT), down 21 cents. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 19 cents to $46.93/bbl.
In early trade, both benchmarks rose to their highest since June 7, after rallying in the previous session on data showing U.S. crude and fuel inventories fell sharply last week.
U.S. crude inventories dropped by 4.7 million bbl in the week to July 14, according to the Energy Information Administration, more than forecast.
Gasoline stocks fell by 4.7 million bbl, exceeding expectations, while distillate stocks also fell.
"I'm skeptical, after seeing many years of drawdowns in summer driving season," said Gene McGillian, manager of market research at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Conn.
"We're waiting to see if this is really what's going on or the normal seasonal drop-off."
U.S. oil stocks, at roughly 490 million bbl, remain well above the five-year average, while U.S. production has increased almost 12% since mid-2016 to 9.4 million bbl/d.
Oil futures also fell in tandem with other risk markets in the mid-morning after Bloomberg reported that Robert Mueller, special counsel appointed to investigate allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible ties with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, was also looking into Trump's business transactions. Stock markets and the dollar dropped on that news before recovering somewhat.
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