Crude supplies expand for third week, longest run since August Iran, Iraq oil ministers skipping informal OPEC talks in Doha Crude oil traded near $46 a barrel as Saudi Arabia and some other OPEC nations meet with Russia for informal talks without oil ministers from Iran and Iraq, the two countries that pose the biggest hurdle to an output deal. Futures advanced 0.5 percent in New York after dropping 0.5 percent Wednesday. U.S. crude stockpiles climbed for a third week, the longest run of gains since August, according to a government report. Russia will hold discussions with representatives from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries in Doha from Thursday, Energy Minister Alexander Novak said. There’s a high chance of an agreement and Russia is ready to support a decision, he said. Crude has retreated since reaching a 2016 high last month near $52 a barrel amid skepticism about the […]