Oil prices failed to move higher amid concerns over a surge in Covid-19 cases in China that dampened hopes of a recovery in fuel demand.
Ahead of the opening of the European session, Brent crude oil futures traded lower at around $83 a barrel, while US WTI traded slightly weaker at $78 a barrel.
Initially, the oil market welcomed reports that China had reopened its borders and that tourists would not have to undergo quarantine to enter the country.
However, the latest epidemic situation and doubts about official data prompted several countries to enact new travel regulations on Chinese tourists.
Analysts are of the view that although there is an opportunity for oil prices to rebound, there is still the potential for it to change according to the reopening situation in China.
In the meantime, the American Petroleum Institute (API) revealed that US crude oil supplies declined last week with a drop of 1.3 million barrels, slightly lower than expectations for a decrease of 1.5 million barrels.
