Oil prices steady in Asian trading after record near $124

A Shell customer holds his wallet as he pumps gas at a Shell gas station in Menlo Park, Calif,. Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Oil futures extended their seemingly relentless advance Wednesday, rising to a new record near $124 a barrel as investors captivated by the market's upward momentum looked past the government's report of an increase in crude and gasoline supplies. At the pump, gas prices rose for the first time since last week. (AP Pho...

Traders at the New York Mercantile Exchange deal in crude oil options on Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Oil prices steadied Wednesday after hitting a record near $123 a barrel in the previous day's session on worries over supply disruptions. (AP Photos/Mark Lennihan)

Trucker Ty Prusia looks at his $758.40 diesel fuel purchase as he prepares to leave a truck stop near North Little Rock, Ark., Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Oil futures rose to a new record above $123 a barrel Wednesday after the Energy Department reported an unexpected drop in diesel and heating oil supplies last week. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)

A tractor trailer truck is shown parked at a gas station at a service plaza along the Florida Turnpike, Wednesday, May 7, 2008 in Miami. Oil futures extended their seemingly relentless advance Wednesday, rising to a new record near $124 a barrel as investors captivated by the market's upward momentum looked past the government's report of an increase in crude and gasoline supplies. At the pump, gas prices rose for the first time since l...