Oil prices fell on Wednesday after rising in the previous session, amid expectations that ending the longest government shutdown in US history could boost demand in the world's largest crude consumer.
Brent crude futures fell 0.3% to $64.96 a barrel.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude also fell 0.2% to $60.82 a barrel, after rising 1.5% in the previous session.
The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote Wednesday afternoon on a bill that would refund government agencies until January 30.
Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG, said in a note that ending the government shutdown would boost consumer confidence and stimulate economic activity, supporting demand for crude oil, according to Reuters.
Ending the US government shutdown could also revive travel and increase jet fuel consumption as the holiday season approaches.
On the supply side, the effects of the US sanctions imposed on the Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft began to appear, providing additional support for prices.
Reuters reported on Tuesday that Chinese refiner Yanchang Petroleum is seeking non-Russian oil in its latest tender, while Sinopec subsidiary Luoyang Petrochemical has shut down its facilities for maintenance, a move seen as an indirect result of sanctions.
These measures were imposed last month and represent the first direct sanctions imposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump on Russia since the beginning of his second term.
