OIL rose slightly yesterday as traders awaited news on US crude supplies, OPEC production and the Federal Reserve's monetary policy stance.

In New York, US benchmark crude for August delivery gained 39 cents to close at US$103.53 a barrel. The price has remained steady this week after rising US$6.66, or nearly 7 percent, last week.

Brent crude, which is used to set prices for oil used by many US refineries, was up 38 cents at US$107.81 on the ICE Exchange in London.

Oil was down in the morning when US stock markets opened, then pushed higher as stocks rose. The Dow Jones industrial average was up about 77 points to 15,302 in afternoon trading.

Last week, oil was pushed above US$100 a barrel for the first time since May 2012 by worries that turmoil in Egypt could disrupt oil and gas shipments through the Suez Canal.

Commerzbank in Frankfurt said in a report that a quick solution to the Egyptian tensions is unlikely. "The situation remains tense in other Middle Eastern countries too, meaning that a lasting risk premium of US$5-10 per barrel on the oil price is justified," the bank said.

A number of factors could influence trading Wednesday. The Energy Department releases its weekly report on supplies of crude oil and petroleum products, the US Federal Reserve releases minutes of its recent policy meeting and OPEC issues its monthly update on the oil market.

A large decline in US supplies, or signs that OPEC decreased output last month could boost prices, analysts say. Additional insight into the Fed's thinking on when it should begin winding down bond purchases that have supported the US economic recovery should also influence trading.

In other energy futures trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange:

- Wholesale gasoline added 4 cents at US$2.93 a gallon.

- Natural gas fell 8 cents to US$3.66 per 1,000 cubic feet.

- Heating oil gained 1 cent to US$2.99 per gallon.