Oil prices witnessed little change in Asian trading, today, Friday, at a time when investors are studying optimistic demand forecasts issued by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and economic data that showed a decline in China's imports of crude oil.

Brent crude fell four cents to $86.36 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell two years to $82.80 a barrel.

The two benchmarks have been recording highs since last July.

OPEC said yesterday that it expects global oil demand to rise by 2.25 million barrels per day in 2024, compared to an increase of 2.44 million barrels per day in 2023, and both expectations have not changed from last month.

OPEC said that "strong" economic growth and continued improvement in China is expected to lead to higher oil consumption in 2024.

Data showed that China's imports of crude oil declined last July to their lowest levels since January of this year

Source: National Iraqi News Agency