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London oil price hits $146 record | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The price of oil has continued to climb - with Brent crude rising above $146 a barrel for the first time. | |
Brent crude rose by $1.83 to $146.09 a barrel in London. US light, sweet crude rose by more than $1 to $144.81. | |
Oil prices have risen significantly since the US government announced on Wednesday that its crude stockpiles had fallen by more than expected last week. | |
The president of oil group Opec has warned that prices could rise further today if eurozone interest rates go up. | |
Opec president Dr Chakib Khelil told the BBC on Wednesday that a rise in eurozone rates would weaken the dollar further, and would cause oil prices to rise. | |
A weaker dollar makes oil a more attractive investment. | A weaker dollar makes oil a more attractive investment. |
Overnight, the dollar traded at its lowest level against the euro for more than two months, falling to $1.5891 per euro. | |
Tensions | Tensions |
Analysts said that a combination of the weak US dollar, a drop in equity markets, higher demand, and concerns about supply disruptions in the Middle East and Africa have forced prices up. | |
"The current market is being driven by the weaker dollar and with the equity markets a disaster, investment money is looking for a more profitable market," said Tetsu Emori, a Tokyo-based fund manager. | |
Tensions have also been escalating between the US and Iran. | |
Iran would respond "fiercely" to any attack against it, Iranian oil minister Gholam Hossein Nozari said on the sidelines of the World Petroleum Congress in Madrid. | Iran would respond "fiercely" to any attack against it, Iranian oil minister Gholam Hossein Nozari said on the sidelines of the World Petroleum Congress in Madrid. |
However, the minister said that Tehran would not cut oil deliveries and would continue supplying the market even if struck by Israel or the US. | |
Fuel prices | Fuel prices |
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, speaking ahead of next week's G8 meeting of leading industrialised nations, predicted that prices would climb to $150 a barrel. | Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, speaking ahead of next week's G8 meeting of leading industrialised nations, predicted that prices would climb to $150 a barrel. |
"Unfortunately, rising oil prices create problems for the world's economy," he said. | "Unfortunately, rising oil prices create problems for the world's economy," he said. |
Companies across the world have been suffering under the strain of higher oil prices. | Companies across the world have been suffering under the strain of higher oil prices. |
Air New Zealand has become the latest airline to say it cannot continue to absorb the rising cost of jet fuel, which is now more than $170 a barrel. | Air New Zealand has become the latest airline to say it cannot continue to absorb the rising cost of jet fuel, which is now more than $170 a barrel. |
The carrier announced on Thursday that domestic fares would rise by 3% and international fares by 5%. | The carrier announced on Thursday that domestic fares would rise by 3% and international fares by 5%. |
That followed a profit warning from Hong-Kong based airline Cathay Pacific on Wednesday. | That followed a profit warning from Hong-Kong based airline Cathay Pacific on Wednesday. |