08:56 AM EDT, 05/28/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Oil prices rose early on Tuesday on expectations the start of the U.S. driving season will offer a robust boost to demand ahead of a weekend meeting of OPEC+ that is expected to keep supply restrictions in place.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil for July delivery was last seen up US$1.37 to US$79.09 per barrel, while July Brent crude, the global benchmark was up US$0.29 to US$83.39.

The rise comes with the Memorial Day weekend start of the summer driving season, easing some concerns over weak demand amid high interest rates and rising U.S. oil inventories.

OPEC+ will stage a virtual ministerial meeting over the weekend that is expected to end with a decision to roll 2.2-million barrels per day of voluntary production cuts slated to end on June 30 into the third quarter as the cartel seeks to support prices.

"Brent trades higher for a third day with WTI joining after being closed yesterday, driven by technical buying after finding support ahead of USD 80 last week, improved growth and demand outlook and not least raised geopolitical tensions ahead of Sunday's OPEC+ meeting," Saxo Bank noted.