Oil rises towards $80 as supply concerns mount

Oilrosetowards$80 a barrel on Tuesday, supported by concern that falling Venezuelan crude output and a potential drop in Iranian exports could further tighten global supply.

Crude is trading at the highest since late 2014, underpinned by asupply-cutting deal among the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries plus Russia and other non-members, and strong global demand.

Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose 54 cents to $79.76 a barrel by 1221 GMT. Last week, it topped $80 for the first time since November 2014.

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UScrude was up 31 cents at $72.55, having earlier traded at $72.72, its highest since November 2014.

"The solid global economy, selectedsupplydisruptions and the upbeat market mood in particular inoilframe a positive environment," said Norbert Ruecker, head of commodities and macro research at Julius Baer.

The USgovernment imposed new sanctions on Venezuela following Sunday's re-election of President Nicolas Maduro, a move that analysts say could further curb the country'soiloutput already at its lowest in decades.

"We can expect continued falling Venezuelan production," said Tony Nunan,oilrisk manager at Mitsubishi Corporation in Tokyo.

Concern about a potential drop in Iranianoilexports following Washington's exit from a nuclear deal with Tehran and the threat of USsanctions is also supporting prices. On Monday, the United States hardened its approach to Iran.

Venezuela and Iran are members of OPEC, which with its allies has curbed production since January 2017 to get rid of asupplyglut that in mid-2014 led to a price collapse.

Due in part to the involuntary drop in Venezuela's output, OPEC is over-delivering on the agreement. Saudi Arabia and other major OPEC producers could, in theory, add moresupply, but have yet to do so.

The OPEC-ledsupplycurbs have largely cleared an inventory surplus in industrialised countries based on the deal's original goals, and stocks continue to decline.

UScrude stockpiles are forecast to have declined by 2.8 million barrels last week, a third straight weekly fall. The American Petroleum Institute's inventory report for the period is due at 2030 GMT.

Limiting the upward pressure on prices is risingsupplyin the United States, where shale production is forecast to hit a record high in June.