French Premier Upbeat on Oil-Release Prospects

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon on Thursday said he was optimistic about prospects for an agreement between the U.S. and Europe on the release of oil stockpiles, news reports said.

“If we agree with the other developed countries, we can, by withdrawing part of our stocks, push (oil) prices in a limited way,” Fillon told French radio station Inter, Dow Jones Newswires reported, adding that consumers “shouldn’t expect miracles on fuel prices.” Nymex crude oil futures (CLK2) -0.33% were 11 cents lower at $105.30 a barrel in recent electronic trade.