Crude oil prices fell in early trading on Friday as a looming rise in Middle East output may drag on the stronger markets seen in April, although falling U.S. production and a weakening dollar are still offering support. International benchmark Brent crude futures were trading at $47.69 per barrel at 0101 GMT, down almost half a dollar and a percentage point from their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were down 19 cents at 45.46 a barrel. Both contracts remained near 2016 highs of $48.19 and $46.14 per barrel respectively, and WTI’s smaller fall was a result of declining U.S. crude output, traders said. Despite Friday’s dips, Brent and WTI are up almost a third from April troughs and are over 75 percent above their 2016 lows, lifted by […]