LONDON (Reuters) -Crude oil prices surged above $117, setting a new record high on Mondaybecause of worries of supply disruptions from major producers andcomments by OPEC reiterating there is no need to raise output.
U.S. light crude struck a record high of $117.40 a barrel. It wastrading 27 cents higher at $116.96 by 1155 GMT (7:55 a.m. EDT).
London Brent crude also struck its all time peak of $114.65. It was trading at $114.20, up by 28 cents.
The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) sees noneed to raise oil production to counter high oil prices, the group’spresident Chakib Khelil said on Sunday.
His remark was followed by Iranian oil minister GholamhosseinNozari, who said on Monday oil prices were not too high in real terms.
"OPEC’s assertion that an increase in its oil production will nothelp to bring down prices should be put to the test," the Centre forGlobal Energy Studies said in a research note.
SCOTTISH REFINERY
These remarks come amid concerns over North Sea production due to animpending strike by workers at a refinery in Scotland and supplies fromNigeria, Africa’s largest oil exporter.
Scottish oil refinery Grangemouth has started to shut down ahead of a two-day strike later in April.
If the union goes ahead with the strike, it will effectively closedown a part of the North Sea oil production and some gas output,refinery operator Ineos said in a statement on Saturday.
Refined oil product prices also soared as such a refinery hiccup could further tighten fuel supplies.
Supplies of distillates products, including gas oil for heating anddiesel, have been tight in many areas in the world and gasoline demandis expected to rise toward the summer driving season.
London’s gas oil futures showed the biggest percentage gain in theoil complex. New York’s heating oil and gasoline futures set theirrecord highs.
A rebel group in Nigeria said on Monday it attacked two major oil pipelines there.
Royal Dutch Shell confirmed on Friday that a small amount ofproduction had been shut in due to apparent attacks to its pipeline.
A fall in the dollar also contributed to oil’s rally. A weak dollarhas devalued assets in the U.S. currency, pushing investors to shiftpart of their money to commodities and oil.
(Additional reporting by Fayen Wong in Perth; editing by James Jukwey)
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