London -------------- Oil rose for the second day on Wednesday, gaining more than two per cent, as a hurricane closed U.S. offshore production and an industry report showed U.S. crude inventories unexpectedly decreased.

Over a quarter of U.S. offshore output was shut on Tuesday due to Hurricane Sally, even as the American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday said crude inventories fell 9.5 million barrels, rather than increased as analysts expected.

Brent crude rose 86 cents or 2.1 per cent to $41.39 a barrel by 1012 GMT, while U.S. crude added 85 cents or 2.2 per cent to $39.13 just as both contracts rose by more than two per cent on Tuesday.

“Overnight, the APE provided a further injection of bullish impetus,’’ said Stephen Greenock of oil broker PM.

“As much as a feel-good factor appears to have returned to the oil market, underlying fundamentals remain far from supportive," he added.

The storm-related shutdowns may help reduce the stockpile, although refineries were also closed, cutting demand.

Official Energy Information Administration stocks data, which does not always confirm the APE figures, is due at 1430 GMT.

“Oil prices were lent further support by the APE and the weather,’’ said Commerzbank analyst, Eugene Weinberg.

“Despite an unfavourable fundamental and technical backdrop.’’

Oil prices collapsed to historic lows as the coronavirus crisis hit demand.

A record supply cut by OPEC and its allies, known as OPEC+, and an easing of lockdowns have helped Brent recover from a 21-year low below $16 in April.

Prices have dropped in September, pressured by rising virus cases and concerns about demand.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and International Energy Agency have both cut their demand outlooks this week.

A panel of OPEC oil ministers would meet to review the supply pact on Thursday and is unlikely to recommend further output curbs despite the price drop, sources told Reuters.