Oil last trades flat in the Asia-Pac............>

OIL: Oil last trades flat in the Asia-Pac timezone, WTI last up $0.01 at $55.34.

Oil gained after DoE inventory data yesterday, but is still down around 3% from

the start of the week. DoE inventories showed that headline crude stocks rose

1.854mln bbl against estimates for a 1.79mln bbl decline, however this was well

below the API inventory gain of 6.5mln bbls. 

- Sentiment in oil markets is still broadly negative following IEA reports

earlier this week of lower demand than expected in 2018, exacerbated by a climb

in EIA output figures to the highest levels in over 30 years.

- Yesterday OPEC Sec Gen Barkindo said that there was no opposition among OPEC

members for an extension of the supply cut, but participants hoping for an

agreement at the November 30 meeting could be disappointed after Russia said it

was too early for a decision yet with the current deal not expiring until March

2018.