Oil steady as Russia-Ukraine supply fears wane

Oil steady as Russia-Ukraine supply fears wane

LONDON- Oil prices on Wednesday fell from seven-year highs hit the previous day after a first wave of U.S. and European sanctions on Russia appeared unlikely to disrupt oil supplies.

Brent crude was down 27 cents, or 0.2%, to $96.57 a barrel at 1247 GMT, after hitting $99.50 on Tuesday, the highest since September 2014.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 36 cents, or 0.3%, to $91.55 a barrel, after reaching $96 on Tuesday.

Prices jumped on Tuesday on worries that Western sanctions imposed on Russia after it sent troops into two regions in eastern Ukraine could hit energy supplies.

Sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, Britain, Australia, Canada and Japan were focused on Russian banks and elites while Germany halted certification of a gas pipeline from Russia.

But the United States made it clear that sanctions agreed and those which may be imposed will not target oil and gas flows.

However, analysts expect oil prices to continue seeing support from the Russia-Ukraine crisis, with some Western countries promising to impose more sanctions if Russia launches a full invasion.

"The prospect of more conflict in Ukraine should safeguard the geopolitical risk premium," said Stephen Brennock at brokerage PVM Oil.

"There is a risk