At the weekend, United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon said the world's biggest exporter was set to increase output to 9.7 million barrels per day in July, the first official indication of its second supply boost in as many months.


Oil traders said the news could spur heavier selling during more liquid European trading hours, but losses may be checked by fears that many refiners - particularly in Asia - will balk at buying more of the kingdom's heavier, hard-to-process crude.


Agencies