Crude Oil prices were steady on Friday, on track for a second consecutive weekly gain, after data from top energy consumers the United States and China boosted the oil demand outlook.

Data showing a third straight weekly build in the U.S. oil rig count had little bearish impact on the market.

U.S. energy companies added six rigs drilling for oil during the week to July 15, bringing the total rig count up to 357, compared with 638 a year ago, industry firm Baker Hughes Inc said.

Brent crude futures were up 26 cents, or 0.5 %, at $47.62 by 1:10 p.m. EDT (1710 GMT). It slipped as much as 1.5 %earlier to a session low of $46.65.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures rose 20 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $45.88. The intraday low was $45.05.

Brent was on track for a weekly gain of about 2 % and WTI around 1 % after a volatile week. The market saw daily moves of up to 5 percent earlier this week as the market corrected from last week's near 8-% slump and reacted to bearish U.S. oil inventory data.