.Oil prices were slightly higher today after trading down big early in the session but rebounding after the EIA forecasted GDP growth to rise 1.9% in 2023. The EIA also expects Brent crude oil prices to average $86 in the second half of 2023, up about $7 from the previous forecast. U.S. crude production is expected to rise by 850,000 barrels per day (bpd) to a record 12.76 million bpd in 2023, the report added, overtaking the last peak of 12.3 million bpd in 2019. “We expect these factors will continue to reduce global oil inventories and put upward pressure on oil prices in the coming months,” the EIA added. Weighing on prices, Chinas crude imports were down 18.8% from the previous month to the lowest rate since January. Analysts were expecting a 5% drop but the number came in at -12.4%. WTI traded up $.98 or $82.92. Brent traded up $.83 or $86.17.