Oil prices rose on Wednesday, extending strong gains in the previous session after industry data showed U.S. crude stocks unexpectedly fell last week just as near-term travel demand picked up with COVID-19 pandemic curbs easing. Brent crude futures were at $85.22 a barrel by 0732 GMT, up 44 cents, or 0.5%, to after rising 1.6% on Tuesday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 16 cents, or 0.2%, to $84.31 a barrel, adding to Tuesday’s 2.7% gain. Both benchmarks touched their highest in two weeks earlier on Wednesday, supported by tightening global oil inventories during the past several months, and the latest data from the American Petroleum Institute reinforcing the view that supply remains constrained. According to market sources, API data showed U.S. crude stocks declined by 2.5 million barrels for the week to Nov. 5, defying analysts’ estimates for a 2.1 million […]