Oil steadies after early loss on dollar; U.S. rig count awaited

By Ethan Lou NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices steadied on Friday as the dollar eased off eight-month highs ahead of U.S. oil rig count data that would show whether drilling was on the upswing with crude trading above $50 a barrel. Russia's reiteration of its commitment to join OPEC in curbing output helped support crude, although some viewed signs of a post-Soviet high in crude production as bearish. Brent crude was up 20 cents at $51.58 a barrel by 11:30 a.m. EDT (1530 GMT).