Firmer oil prices expected as demand builds and supply curbs persist, poll suggests

Oil prices will gain some momentum this year as demand picks up and output curbs by the OPEC+ producer group continue to squeeze supply that is already being pressured by military conflicts, a Reuters poll showed on Thursday. A survey of 46 economists and analysts forecast that Brent crude would average $82.33 a barrel in 2024, up from the $81.13 consensus projection in February. U.S. crude expectations were raised to $78.09, up from the $76.54 forecast last month. This was the first upward revision in 2024 consensus forecasts since the October poll. "We see the oil price rally going further…