Oil prices steadied on Thursday as the International Energy Agency (IEA) said the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus would slow the global oil demand recovery. read more Brent crude futures rose by 18 cents, or 0.25%, to $71.62 a barrel by 0848 GMT, after dipping to a session low of $71.19. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures edged up 9 cents, or 0.13%, to $69.34. The international energy watchdog said in its monthly report that rising demand for oil reversed course in July and was set to proceed more slowly for the rest of the year after the latest wave of COVID infections led countries to re-introduce restrictions. “Growth for the second half of 2021 has been downgraded more sharply, as new COVID-19 restrictions imposed in several major oil-consuming countries, particularly in Asia, look set to reduce mobility and oil […]