Brent Crude Prices Steady as US Considers Easing Shadow Fleet Sanctions

Brent crude prices were steady on Thursday as investors weighed possible US steps to ease restrictions on the world’s 'shadow fleet' of tankers, while conflict in the Middle East kept a geopolitical risk premium in the market.

The international benchmark was up 2 cents at $103.57 a barrel by 1330 GMT, after falling 1.5% on Wednesday.

The US is considering easing sanctions on the shadow fleet, which consists of ships that have been used to transport Iranian oil in violation of US sanctions.