Oil markets tense on Syrian crisis, but US supplies keep prices in check

Oil markets remained tense on Thursday on concerns of a military escalation in Syria, but prices were some way off Wednesday's 2014 highs as bulging American supplies weighed.

Brent crude futures were at $71.98 per barrel at 0016 GMT, down 8 cents from their last close.

US WTI crude futures were at $66.83 a barrel, virtually unchanged from their last settlement.

Both Brent and WTI hit 2014 highs of $73.09 and $67.45 per barrel on Wednesday, respectively, after Saudi Arabia said it intercepted missiles over Riyadh and US President Donald Trump warned Russia of imminent military action in Syria.