Oil steadied near three-month highs on Thursday, supported by worries over possible disruptions to supply from the West Asia and a steep fall in US oil inventories. Brent, the global crude oil benchmark has risen a third in less than two months, on escalating worries about a conflict over Iran's nuclear programme and as investors hope for more stimulus measures from central banks that would boost commodities.A fall in production in the North Sea during September due to maintenance has also tightened supply in Europe and helped push up the price of light, sweet crudes for immediate delivery. Brent futures were unchanged at $116.25 a barrel at 1107 GMT, after ending yesterday up $2.22 at the highest settlement since May 2. US crude lost 3 cents to $94.30, after rising 90 cents to its highest settlement since May 14. Reflecting the deepening crisis in West Asia, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Thursday suspended Syria's membership at a summit of Muslim leaders in Mecca, citing President Bashar al-Assad's violent suppression of the Syrian revolt. Data on Wednesday showing a sharp fall in stocks of oil in the world's top consumer, the United States, has also exacerbated global supply worries. US crude stockpiles fell more than expected last week, slipping 3.7 million barrels to 366.16 million barrels, the Energy Information Administration reported, despite a modest rise in crude imports as plant utilisation remained high. Analysts had forecast a drop of 1.7 million barrels.

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