Oil is rising slightly ahead of American stocks. On Wednesday, North Sea Brent and West Texas Intermediate barrels rose in value

Oil prices rose slightly after sharp losses the day before, as expectations of falling U.S. reserves counterbalanced forecasts of demand weakened by the sluggish global economy. Around 10:20 GMT (12:20 CET), a barrel of North Sea Brent, for delivery in August, gained 0.62% at 72.71 dollars. Its American equivalent, a barrel of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for delivery in the same month, rose 0.78% to 68.23

U.S. commercial crude reserves fell by 2.41 million barrels in the week ending June 23, according to data from the federation of industry professionals, the American Petroleum Institute (API). Analysts expect crude reserves to fall by 1.5 million barrels but to increase gasoline reserves by 1 million barrels, according to the median of a consensus compiled