20/04/2006

Crude oil prices spiral higher

Oil prices have continued to climb today to reach record levels of over $74 a barrel.

The crude oil market has seen prices driven higher by concerns over the Iran nuclear crisis and increasing demand for petrol.

The international tensions over Iran's nuclear programme have helped edge oil prices to record prices over the past week. Also of concern to the market are renewed threats by terrorists to attack Nigeria's oil production infrastructure.

Trading on Thursday saw Brent Crude top $74 a barrel and other oil markets rise to $72 a barrel highs of recent days.

Reports from the US have revealed that the country's petrol reserves a lower than expected and this news has come ahead of the peak holiday season when demand is higher.

The US Department of Energy figures revealed that gasoline demand was 1% higher than last year and that 9.1 million barrels a day were being used.

This high demand and international uncertainty over supplies are causing some analysts to speculate that the price may go higher.

The runaway price of oil will be discussed at next week's International Energy Forum, which is attended by over 60 of the world's top oil producers and consumers, as well as oil businesses, which will meet in Qatar next week.

(SP/KMcA)

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