OilNSE 0.73 % prices fell on Thursday as Iran signalled it could be won over to a small rise in Opec crude output, potentially paving the way for the producer cartel to agree a supply increase during a meeting on Friday, Economic Times reports.
However, prices were prevented from dropping further by record refinery runs in the United States and a large decline in crude inventories, a sign of strong fuel demand in the world's biggest economy.
Brent crude futures were at $74.51 per barrel at 0152 GMT, down 23 cents, or 0.3 percent, from their last close.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $65.64 a barrel, down 7 cents, or 0.1 percent.