Srie Hartati

The dollar fell 0.15 percent against a basket of currencies as the euro took a breather after sliding to a one-year low against the dollar on Wednesday as fears that the euro zone debt problems could spread spooked investors.

U.S. light, sweet crude [CLC1  80.119995    0.15  (+0.19%)   ]rose 21 cents to $80.18 a barrel in Asian trade.

The contract dived more than 3 percent on Wednesday to below $80 a barrel for the first time in six weeks after U.S. government data showed crude stocks at the key storage hub in Cushing, Oklahoma, rose 1.6 million barrels to a record of 36.2 million barrels.

London Brent crude [LCOC1  82.77    0.16  (+0.19%)   ]rose 17 cents to $82.78 a barrel.

"The market is expected to recover slightly today after sharp declines of $6 to $7 over the past few days," said Ken Hasegawa, a commodities sales manager at brokerage Newedge Japan.

Oil has seen strong support at $79, but prices may be capped at $82 on Wednesday, he said.

"We have to be careful how the euro will perform in the next few weeks," Hasegawa said.

Analysts have said the euro is expected to remain weak as investors remain highly skeptical Greece will be able to carry out the tough austerity measures it promised in return for a 110 billion euro aid package from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

A weaker dollar makes oil cheaper for holders of other currencies.

News of the death of Nigerian President Umaru Yar 'Adua may create more uncertainty about the country's oil production.

Nigeria has always been a supportive factor to crude prices as its production is often disrupted by militant attacks on pipelines, but political instability may lend more support to oil, Hasegawa said.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/36976126/