OIL prices settled below US$107 a barrel yesterday after Saudi Arabia denied an Iranian media report of a Saudi pipeline explosion. A stronger dollar and some profit-taking after the previous day's rally were contributing factors.
Benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude, which is used to price much of the oil produced in the US Midwest, fell by US$2.14 to finish at US$106.70 per barrel on New York Mercantile Exchange.
Brent crude, imported by many US refineries that make gasoline, fell by US$2.55 to end at US$123.65 a barrel in London.
Crude jumped to US$110.55 late Thursday after an unconfirmed Iranian media report of a pipeline explosion in Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials denied the report.
Oil prices have risen from US$96 last month amid fears that conflict over Iran's nuclear program could trigger a disruption in global crude supplies. Signs of an improving US economy have also bolstered investor optimism and crude prices.
Iran, the world's third-largest oil exporter, faces a European embargo and other international sanctions as the West tries to force its nuclear facilities to open to inspectors. Some experts say Iran is trying to build a nuclear weapon, though the country denies it.
The recent jump in oil began to stall late this week. With prices near last year's highs, traders say they're increasingly worried about the consumer's ability to pay higher prices.
"These prices are beginning to bite," independent oil trader Jim Ritterbusch said. "We're at the point where people are getting concerned of further economic recovery, not just in the US but much of the globe."
Yesterday, renewed concerns over Europe's economy lingered and US stock indexes were slightly down in afternoon trading. The dollar rose sharply against the euro after Spain warned that its budget deficit would be worse than previously expected.
In other energy trading, heating oil fell 7 US cents to finish at US$3.20 per gallon and gasoline futures fell 8 US cents to end at US$3.27 per gallon. Natural gas futures rose 2 US cents to finish at US$2.48 per 1,000 cubic feet.
Source:shanghaidaily