Oil prices were largely steady on Friday as a rebound in global demand was widely expected but a slow recovery for the U.S. Gulf Coast export and refining hub from the hurricane earlier this week weighed on prices. Brent crude futures were up 22 cents, or 0.3%, to $73.25 a barrel at 0911 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were down 5 cents at $69.94 a barrel. Both benchmark oil contracts were largely steady for the week. The move down in WTI was likely due to traders squaring positions ahead of the U.S. non-farm payrolls report for August set to be released on Friday, analysts said, on worries the report may be weaker than consensus forecasts. read more Oil demand has been curbed as extended power outages are slowing the reopening of refineries that were shut in Louisiana. read more “It’s […]