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HOUSTON, Nov 20 Reuters Oil prices were steady on Wednesday as the escalating war between major oil producer Russia and Ukraine offset a rise in U.S. crude and gasoline stocks.

Brent crude futures for January were down 4 cents, or 0.05, at 73.27 a barrel by 1043 a.m. EDT 1543 GMT.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for December , due to expire on Wednesday, were up 26 cents, or 0.37, at 69.65, while the more active WTI contract for January was up 2 cents, or 0.03, at 69.26.

U.S. crude stocks and gasoline inventories rose and distillate stockpiles fell in the week ending Nov. 15, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday.

Crude inventories rose by 545,000 barrels to 430.3 million barrels last week, the EIA said, compared with analysts39; expectations in a Reuters poll for a 138,000barrel rise.

U.S. gasoline stocks rose by 2.1 million barrels to 208.9 million barrels, compared with analysts39; expectations in a Reuters poll for a 900,000barrel build.

The escalating war between major oil producer Russia and Ukraine and subsequent concern around potential oil supply disruptions have kept a floor under prices this week.

This has put geopolitical risk back in the market, StoneX energy analyst Alex Hodes said in a note on Wednesday.

However, the concerns…