NNA - Oil prices were little changed on Friday but on track for a third consecutive weekly decline, pressured by muted demand in China and expectations of a Gaza ceasefire deal that could ease Middle East tensions and accompanying supply concerns.
Brent crude futures for September dipped 1 cent to $82.36 a barrel by 0744 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for September fell 6 cents to $78.22.
The benchmarks have lost about 5% in the past three weeks. Brent is trading marginally lower this week while WTI is down more than 2%.
Chinese data this week showed the country's apparent oil demand fell 8.1% to 13.66 million barrels per day (bpd) in June, prompting concerns over consumption, ANZ Research analysts said.
"The weakness is likely driven by gasoline and diesel, as rising new energy and autonomous driving vehicles become more popular," ANZ said.
In the Middle East, hopes of a ceasefire in Gaza have been gaining momentum. The leaders of Australia, New Zealand and Canada called for an immediate ceasefire in a joint statement on Friday.--Reuters
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