Oil prices jumped again on Friday, gaining more ground as producers like Kuwait said they would move to cut output and as the United States approved another package to cope with the economic disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
The price of the international benchmark Brent crude was trading at $22.3 per barrel at 0611 GMT for a 3.2% increase after closing Thursday at $21.33 a barrel.
American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was trading at $17.18 a barrel at the same time.
Some refineries in China, India, Japan and South Korea have begun purchasing crude oil to take advantage of low prices, which in turn has revived oil demand in Asia and caused some increase in prices.
Experts say that the downward trend in prices may continue if the $ 22 level is not exceeded.
Under a deal agreed between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Counties (OPEC) and associated producers including Russia, a grouping known as OPEC+, output cuts of 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) are due to kick in from May.
By Murat Temizer, Gokce Kucuk Topbas
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr