Brent hits 2019 highs on Chinese demand prospects

Brent kept the gains in American trade, hitting 2019 highs and three-month highs on hopes for a US-China trade agreement and higher Chinese demand. 

As of 13:00 GMT, Brent rose to $64.35 a barrel from the opening of $63.65 a barrel. 

Brent rose 1.7% on Wednesday, the second profit in a row on OPEC cuts, US sanctions on Venezuela. 

Oil prices widened their gains for a third session hopes for a US-China trade agreement and overall higher global oil demand. 

Earlier Chinese data showed crude imports rose 4.8% to 10.03 million bpd, in a positive sign for demand there. 

Saudi oil minister Khalid Al Falih said to Financial Times that Saudi Arabia plans to produce 9.8 million bpd in March, and for exports to fall to 6.9 million bpd. 

That means a 500 thousand bpd cut from the levels promised by Saudi Arabia in the deal to cut global output with OPEC.