ICE Brent crude oil slips towards $78 a barrel

LONDON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - ICE Brent crude fell towards $78 a
barrel on Thursday as a stronger dollar pressured commodities,
but technical analysts said chart patterns were supportive and
indicating potential for further gains.

"The market emerged above a consolidating pattern (flag) and
is likely to retest its peak at $82," said Barclays Capital in a
report, referring to U.S. crude. The corresponding 2009 peak for
Brent is $80.26.

BRENT PRICES

* December Brent was down 51 cents at $78.38 a barrel by 1146
GMT.

* The December/January Brent spread was 78 cents.

* December Brent traded at a discount of $1.55 per barrel to
December U.S. crude oil futures CLc1.

GAS OIL PRICES

* November gas oil LGOc1 was up $5.75 at $635.25 a tonne.

* The November/December gas oil spread was minus $8.25 a
tonne.

TECHNICALS

* Brent support seen at $76.50, resistance at $80.00.

* Gas oil support seen at $630, resistance at $646.

OTHER MARKETS

* European shares fell on Thursday, led by banks. [.EU]

* The dollar rose against a basket of currencies. [.DXY]

FUNDAMENTALS

* Asian buying of West African crude oil is easing off
towards the end of the year as ample stocks, recovering freight
rates and high prices discourage long-haul imports, a Reuters
survey showed on Thursday. [ID:nL4607288]

* Oil flow through the Kirkuk pipeline that takes crude from northern Iraq to the Turkish port of Ceyhan has returned to
normal after an attack last week, a shipping source said on
Thursday. [ID:nL5425331]

DATA/EVENTS

Bank of England policy decision -1200

European Central Bank policy decision -1245

ECB President news conference -1330

Weekly U.S. jobless claims, Q3 preliminary productivity-1330
(Reporting by Alex Lawler)