China to step up policy adjustments amid tortuous recovery
Brent 6month backwardation near 2.5 month highs
POLLUS crude, product inventories seen down last week
Coming up API data on U.S. crude stocks at 2030 GMT

LONDON, July 25 Reuters Oil prices were steady on Tuesday, hovering near threemonth highs as signs of tighter supplies and pledges by Chinese authorities to shore up the world39;s secondbiggest economy lifted sentiment, while weaker Western economic data weighed.

Brent futures were down 9 cents, or 0.1, at 82.65 a barrel by 1340 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate WTI crude dipped 7 cents, or 0.1, to 78.67.

The crude benchmarks have already chalked up four weekly gains in a row, with supplies expected to tighten due to output cuts from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries OPEC and allies.

Earlierloading Brent contracts are selling above later loadings, a price structure known as backwardation indicating traders see tight supply, with the sixmonth spread near a twoandahalf month high.

On the supply side, whilst remote for now, risks are growing following Russias escalation and bombing of Ukrainian port infrastructure along the Danube River, ING said in a note saying attacks on grains assets could spill into energy markets.

The market is starting to become a little nervous over a potential supply disruption.

In China, the world39;s secondbiggest oil consumer, leaders pledged to step up economic policy support. In the euro zone,…