(RTTNews) - Oil prices have accelerated to the upside over the course of the trading session on Thursday, with the price of crude oil climbing back above $120 a barrel. The substantial price increase reflects renewed concerns about supplies.
After seeing some strength earlier in the day, the price of oil has continued higher throughout much of the session. In its first day as the front-month contract, crude for October delivery is currently up $5.98 at $121.54 a barrel.
The continued increase by the price of oil, which closed up by more than $1 a barrel in each of the two previous sessions, is partly due to concerns about rising tensions between the U.S. and Russia.
With the U.S. angering Russia with the announcement of its missile shield deal with Poland on Wednesday, there is some concern that Russia could retaliate by cutting off energy shipments to Western countries.
The price increase this morning also comes amid a notable decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar, which is pulling back well off its recent highs. After seeing modest strength on Wednesday, the U.S. dollar index is currently down about 1 percent.
The drop in the value of the U.S. dollar comes following the release of some key economic data, including a report from the Conference Board showing a bigger than expected decrease in the leading economic indicators index.
Concerns about the upcoming OPEC meeting are also contributing to the continued price increase, as Venezuela's top oil official has said that he will ask the cartel to cuts its production quota at its next meeting on September 9th.
"If there is a trend or dynamic toward lower oil prices, Venezuela will consider the possibility of a cut in production," said Rafael Ramirez, Venezuela's Energy and Oil Minister. "This is the position that we will take at the next OPEC meeting."
Oil Spikes Back Above $120 A Barrel Amid Renewed Supply Concerns
Thursday August 21, 2008 11:11:00 EDT
Ramirez said that the steep drop in oil prices that has been seen in recent weeks is proof that there is speculation in the market. He added that prices must be maintained at around $100 a barrel due to increased production costs.
With the increases in the past three sessions, the price of oil has moved well off the three-month closing low that it set on Monday, but it currently remains more than $25 a barrel below the record high of $147.27 a barrel set in mid-July.
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