Oil little changed as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and Libya disruptions linger

Oil prices saw little change in early Asian trade on Friday, following a 4% surge to a five-month high the previous day. Concerns over further energy supply disruptions stemmed from Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and a shutdown of an oil pipeline in Libya. Brent crude futures fell 0.2% to $112.96 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude declined 0.3% to $98.12. Saudi Aramco ordered the evacuation of its Dhahran headquarters amid intensified clashes with Yemen-based Houthis. In Libya, a pipeline valve shutdown led to reduced production at the Hamada and Tahara oilfields. ING analysts noted that markets are worried about renewed escalation in the Persian Gulf, which could threaten oil flows.