據路透社5月7日報道，盡管印度的新冠肺炎疫情危機限制了油價，但在全球經濟復蘇的樂觀背景下，周五油價企穩，本周有望上漲。

　　格林威治時間08：13，布倫特原油期貨價格上漲1美分，至每桶68.12美元，美國西德克薩斯中質原油價格下跌2美分，至每桶64.69美元。

　　美國和歐洲放松對出行的限制、工廠運營的恢復和新冠肺炎疫苗的接種等利好因素，助推燃料需求復蘇，布倫特原油和WTI原油價格有望連續兩周上漲。

　　在全球最大的石油消費國美國，申請失業救濟人數下降，表明隨著經濟復蘇，勞動力市場復蘇已進入一個新階段。

　　不過，由于印度新冠肺炎病例激增降低了世界第三大石油進口國和消費國的燃料消耗，石油需求的復蘇并不均衡。

　　石油經紀公司PVM的斯蒂芬?布倫諾克(Stephen Brennock)表示:“布倫特原油價格本周差一點突破每桶70美元，但最終未能實現突破，因為需求不確定性拖累了價格?！?/p>

　　從長遠來看，隨著封鎖措施的放松和被壓抑的需求在夏季駕駛季節釋放，有望看到需求回升。

　　王佳晶 摘譯自 路透社

　　原文如下：

　　Oil prices set for weekly gain despite India virus surge

　　Oil prices steadied on Friday and were set for a weekly gain against the backdrop of optimism over a global economic recovery, though the COVID-19 crisis in India capped prices.

　　Brent crude futures were up 1 cent at $68.12 a barrel by 0813 GMT and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude eased by 2 cents to $64.69.

　　Both Brent and WTI are on track for second consecutive weekly gains as easing restrictions on movement in the United States and Europe, recovering factory operations and coronavirus vaccinations pave the way for a revival in fuel demand.

　　However, crude imports by the world's biggest buyer fell 0.2% in April from a year earlier to 40.36 million tonnes, or 9.82 million barrels per day (bpd), the lowest since December.

　　In the United States, the world's largest oil consumer, jobless claims have dropped, signalling the labour market recovery has entered a new phase as the economy recovers.

　　The recovery in oil demand, however, has been uneven as surging COVID-19 cases in India reduce fuel consumption in the world's third-largest oil importer and consumer.

　　"Brent came within a whisker of breaking past $70 a barrel this week but failed at the final hurdle as demand uncertainty dragged on prices," said Stephen Brennock at oil brokerage PVM.

　　"Gasoline demand in the U.S. and parts of Europe is faring relatively well," FGE said.

　　"Further out, we could see demand pick up as lockdowns are eased and pent-up demand is released during the summer driving season."