NYMEX-U.S. crude extends gains on crude inventory drop

SEOUL, July 17 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures extended gains in early Asian trade on Thursday after rallying more than $1 in the previous session, supported by government data showing a sharper fall in U.S. crude stocks than forecast. FUNDAMENTALS * U.S. crude for August delivery gained 30 cents to $101.50 a barrel as of 0007 GMT.

In the previous session it settled $1.24 higher at $101.20 a