SINGAPORE, July 18 Reuters Oil prices extended gains on Monday, propped up by a weaker dollar and tight supplies that offset concerns about recession and the prospect of widespread COVID19 lockdowns in China again reducing fuel demand.

Brent crude futures for September settlement rose 2.54, or 2.5, to 103.70 a barrel by 0648 GMT, after a 2.1 gain on Friday.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate WTI crude futures for August delivery gained 2.31, or 2.4, to 99.90 a barrel, after climbing 1.9 in the previous session.

The U.S. dollar

Last week, Brent and WTI posted their biggest weekly drops in about a month on fears of a recession that will hit oil demand. Mass COVID testing exercises continued in parts of China this week, raising oil demand concerns at the world39;s secondlargest oil consumer.

However, oil supplies remained tight, supporting prices. As expected, U.S. President Joe Biden39;s trip to Saudi Arabia failed to yield any pledge from the top OPEC producer to boost oil supply.

Biden wants Gulf oil producers to step up output to help tame oil prices and drive down inflation.

On Sunday, Amos Hochstein, a senior U.S. State Department adviser for energy security, said on CBS39; Face the Nation that the trip would result in oil producers taking a few more steps in terms of supply though he did not say which country or countries would boost output.

While there have been no immediate pledges for increased oil production, the U.S. has reportedly indicated an expected…