NEW DELHI, April 18 Reuters Oil prices were little changed after a 3 drop in the previous session as the market remains concerned about demand this year and on signs that a wider conflict in the key Middle East producing region could be avoided.

Brent futures were up 13 cents, or 0.15, at 87.42 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate WTI crude futures traded 6 cents higher, up 0.07, at 82.75 a barrel at 0636 GMT.

The two benchmarks slid 3 in the previous session on signs that fuel demand this year is lower than expected amid flagging economic growth in China and as oil inventories in the U.S., the world39;s biggest crude consumer, rose.

Analysts at JP Morgan highlighted in a note late on Tuesday that worldwide oil consumption so far in April has been 200,000 barrels per day bpd below its forecast, averaging 101 million bpd. From the start of the year, demand has risen by 1.7 million bpd, down from its forecast in November of 2 million bpd.

At the same time, investors are discounting the chance that Israel will strongly retaliate against Iran39;s missile and drone attack on April 13, which was prompted by Israel39;s alleged killing of Iranian military leaders at a Syrian diplomatic site on April 1.

Iran is the thirdlargest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, according to Reuters data, and an easing of its conflict with Israel would reduce the potential for supply disruptions in the Middle East.

Brent is now back to levels before…