LONDON, Dec 21 Reuters Oil prices rose on Wednesday after data suggested a larger than expected draw in U.S. crude stockpiles, but gains were capped by growing concerns over demand in China and a snow storm that is expected to hit U.S. travel.

Brent crude futures were up 93 cents, or 1.15, at 80.92 a barrel by 1040 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate WTI crude futures gained 80 cents, or 1.05, to 77.03. Both contracts had risen by more than 1 earlier in the session.

U.S. crude inventories fell by about 3.1 million barrels in the week to Dec. 16, said market sources, citing data from the American Petroleum Institute. Nine analysts polled by Reuters had forecast a drop of 1.7 million barrels. Official government data is due at 1530 GMT. EIAs

Prices were also boosted by comments from Saudi Arabia39;s energy minister, who said on Tuesday that the heavily criticised move by OPEC to cut oil output turned out to be the right decision.

The comments suggest that OPEC may continue to keep supply tight, said CMC Markets analyst Tina Teng.

Potentially curtailing oil demand, huge parts of the United States are forecast to face heavy snow that is likely to cause flight delays and impassable roads during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Worries about surging COVID19 cases in China as the country begins dismantling its zeroCOVID policy kept oil prices from moving higher.

However, China39;s crude oil imports from Russia in November rose 17 year on year as Chinese…