Paris - Global oil demand continues to fall due to the depth and duration of the economic crisis, the Paris-based International Energy Agency  (IEA) said Thursday in its monthly Oil Market Report.

The IEA again revised downward its forecast for 2009 global oil demand, to 83.2 million barrels per day, or 0.2 million barrels per day lower than its previous forecast, in April. Projection is a full 3 per cent below that of 2008.

"The 2009 oil demand forecast is consistent with recent patterns of economic activity, on the assumption that the global economy will markedly recover in 2010 at the earliest," the IEA said.

Oil prices nevertheless climbed to six-month highs at the beginning of May, with benchmark crudes reaching 58 to 60 dollars per barrel. However, that reflected stronger global financial markets rather than a strengthening oil market.

"New bullish macroeconomic sentiment has not yet produced signs of oil demand recovery and oil market fundamentals remain weak," the IEA said. (dpa)