Speculators raise net long Brent positions on ICE. Equatorial Guinea has applied for OPEC membership - minister.

But flags US shale recovery.

The market is re-balancing as demand proves unexpectedly robust: energy minister.

...evidence that investors are pricing in a rocky year ahead.

As Saudis see no need to extend supply cuts.

As details-shy Trump weighs on dollar.

On record US refinery runs.

Crude oil at $50 a barrel is too low for most producing countries, according to United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei. Prices have climbed almost 20 percent to above $50 a barrel since the Nov. 30 agreement by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to cut production for the first time in eight

A free trade area could start transforming countries from commodity-export dependence to manufactured products.

OPEC agreed in November to cut output by 1.2 million bpd from January 2017 to support prices.

Stockpiles look set to shrink.

Before OPEC supply cuts.

As focus shifts to US stockpiles.

First production cut since 2008.

Saudis take 'big hit'