By Yuka Obayashi

TOKYO, Dec 12 (Reuters) – Oil prices rose on Friday as the prospect of the U.S. intercepting more Venezuelan oil tankers deepened supply concerns, but remained on track for a weekly decline amid optimism ‍over a possible Russia-Ukraine peace agreement.

Brent crude futures rose 29 cents, or 0.5%, to $61.57 a barrel by 0115 GMT, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $57.91 a barrel, up 31 cents, or 0.5%.

Both benchmarks fell about 1.5% on Thursday.

The U.S. is preparing to intercept more ships transporting Venezuelan oil following the seizure of a tanker this ‌week, as it increases pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, ‌six sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

The U.S. seizure this week raised concerns about supply disruptions.

“After s

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