LONDON (Reuters) – Oil prices steadied on Monday as an increase in U.S. drilling, likely to lead to higher shale production, balanced evidence of tightening supply. Benchmark Brent LCOc1 was up 40 cents at $77.51 a barrel by 0850 GMT. U.S. crude CLc1 was down 30 cents at $73.50. “Uncertainties abound when it comes to the oil balance for the remainder of the year,” said Stephen Brennock, analyst at London brokerage PVM Oil Associates. “Competing supply-side developments ensure that the oil price roller-coaster remains in full swing.” U.S. energy companies last week increased the number of rigs drilling for oil by five to 863, up 100 year-on-year, General Electric Co’s ( GE.N ) Baker Hughes energy services firm said in its closely followed report late on Friday. The U.S. […]