Oil Near Three-Week High on Supply Risks, US Stocks Drop

OIL PRICE - NEW YORK. Oil prices edged higher on Wednesday as concerns about tighter global supply grew following the U.S. threat of tariffs on nations buying Venezuelan crude, along with a larger-than-expected drop in U.S. crude inventories.

Brent crude futures gained 49 cents, or 0.67%, to $73.51 a barrel by 0950 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 48 cents, or 0.70%, to $69.48 a barrel.