Investing.com - Oil Friday struggled to recover from levels seen before an output cut accord by major producers in November.
U.S. crude was up 16 cents, or 0.35%, at $45.68 at 05:30 ET after falling below $44.
Brent crude gained 31 cents, or 0.64%, to $48.69 after dropping below $47.
The fall in oil prices steps up the pressure for an extension of the output cut accord beyond June.
OPEC and non-OPEC producers have agreed to cuts of 1.8 million barrels a day in the first half.
There are doubts that the size of the cuts will be increased.
The scaling down of output has failed to make inroads into a glut in inventories as U.S. shale activity increases.
Baker Hughes rig count data are due out later in the session.