International crude oil prices rose sharply on Thursday after a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia prompted the United States to order embassy staff and their families to leave the country.
The heightened tensions pushed energy prices higher. Brent crude gained US$1.29, or 1.2%, to US$110.11 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude rose 97 cents, or 1%, to US$98.12 a barrel.
According to data attributed to Kpler, at least 18 attacks on shipping took place over the past two weeks, while Iran expanded attacks on tankers beyond the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf of Oman.
The report cites the US Energy Information Administration as saying that US crude inventories fell by 3.06 million barrels to 412.5 million barrels. The original article also says the US Department of Energy announced an emergency oil loan amounting to nearly one-third of a stated reserve of one million barrels to help contain rising fuel prices.
By TOUCH SOVANRITHY
