World oil prices steadied ahead of the latest weekly snapshot of US crude inventories and a day after slumping more than 2 usd on profit-taking. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in August, rose eight cents to 58.28 usd per barrel in electronic deals, after closing down 2.34 usd at 58.20 yesterday. The futures contract had hit 60.95 usd on Monday -- the highest level since it was first traded in 1983 -- as supply concerns were exacerbated by a weekend election win for the ultra-conservatives in OPEC heavyweight Iran. In London, the price of Brent North Sea crude oil for delivery in August eased six cents to 57.12 usd per barrel after diving 2.12 usd to 57.18 the previous day. The contract had struck a new record level of 59.59 usd on Monday. Amid concerns of possible supply shortages during the fourth quarter, the market was expected to study closely the US inventories report on energy stockpiles to be released later today. Analysts' consensus forecast was for a slight drop in US crude oil stockpiles, a rise in distillates and no change for gasoline, or petrol, stocks. Prices have rocketed to record high points on concerns that refineries will be unable to provide enough distillates, which include heating fuel, to meet demand during the northern hemisphere winter.