Thursday, September 14 2006 14:58 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Singapore: "Oil prices were higher in Asian trade today (Sept 14, 2006), picking up after the market consolidated near multi-month lows in recent sessions," dealers said.

At 0830 IST, New York's main contract, light sweet crude for October delivery, was up 55 cents to 64.52 dollars abarrel from its close of 63.97 dollars in the United States yesterday.

Brent North Sea crude for October was 51 cents higher at 63.50 dollars.

"Pricing has dropped quite a bit since the high reached in July," said Victor Shum, an analyst with energy consultancy Purvin and Gertz in Singapore.

"I think when the price falls so sharply due to no change in the fundamentals, that actually creates an opportunity to buy so that's why some traders believe the market may have reached a bottom," he said.

"Longstanding geopolitical concerns in key crude producers such as Iran have not gone away and is likely to push up prices again should the market sense possible supply disruptions," Shum said

"The market has been driven by short-term news events ... all it takes is one or two news events to turn the market around," he said.

The International Monetary Fund said in its semi-annual World Economic Outlook report issued today that crude prices will stay high next year in a 70-75 dollars range due to strong US and Chinese demand as well as supply-related issues.

It also warned that a further escalation in oil prices beyond that level cannot be ruled out in the event of deteriorating tensions involving Nigeria, Iran or other key crude suppliers.