U.S. crude inventories fell by 3 million barrels in the last week to 432.6 million barrels, the EIA said, about 1pc higher than during the same time in 2019, before the pandemic.
Brent crude oil futures were up 92 cents, or 1.2pc, at $75.66 a barrel by 12:05 ET (1605 GMT), having traded as high as $75.74. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures were up 90 cents, or 1.3pc, at $73.29 a barrel.
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said U.S. officials were still in touch with counterparts in Canada, Europe and elsewhere to determine when and how to lift travel restrictions safely.
Barclays estimates that its duration index extends out 0.13 years, versus the long run average of 0.09 years, according to Rupert, which means asset managers need to buy Treasuries to hit that index.
Pfizer said it expects there could be a long-lasting need for COVID-19 vaccines, to combat new virus variants that emerge and to "boost" peoples' waning immune responses.
U.S. oil and gas drillers are gearing up for a pick-up in demand. As higher prices make new wells profitable again, they added rigs for a sixth month in a row in January.
Across the country, state health departments are preparing local hospitals for the first shipments of Pfizer Inc's COVID-19 vaccine if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorizes it, possibly as early as mid-December.