Investing.com - Oil was higher Friday after mixed U.S. stockpile data and ahead of rig count data.
U.S. crude was up 50 cents, or 0.99%, at $50.94 at 07:00 ET, while Brent crude added 0.63% to $52.36.
U.S. crude inventories rose for the first time in six weeks, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released Thursday.
The EIA reported a build-up of 4.9 million barrels in crude stocks in the latest week.
However, distillate and gasoline inventories fell by more than expected.
Baker Hughes data on the number of rigs operating in the U.S. are due out later Friday.
The pick-up in oil on hopes of a concrete agreement by OPEC next month to curb output could spark an increase in U.S. shale activity.
The dollar index was higher. A stronger dollar dampens demand for oil.