LONDON (AFP) – Benchmark oil contract Brent North Sea yesterday topped USD100 per barrel for the first time in more than seven years, this time on supply fears after major producer Russia attacked Ukraine.
Brent surged as high as USD100.29 – a level last seen in 2014. That capped a meteoric rise over almost two years since crude fell into negative territory for the first time.
In early 2020, oil briefly turned negative following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic that shut offices and factories – and grounded planes worldwide.
Oil prices rocketed last year to around USD70 per barrel as economies re-opened from lockdowns, sparking a surge in demand for crude.
Brent’s record high stands at USD147.50 per barrel.
Here is a timeline of when oil had previously topped USD100.
Oil started the year above USD100 after Western powers imposed a raft of economic sanctions on Iran, including crude exports, aimed at halting its controversial nuclear programme.
Brent soared to USD127 in March 2011 following unrest in the oil-producing Middle East and North Africa region.
The market rebounded after the so-called Arab Spring uprisings toppled the long-standing leaders of Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen, while unrest also rocked other parts of the region, especially crude producer Libya.
On July 11, 2008, Brent hit a record high of USD147.50 per barrel, having breached USD100 at the start of the year for the first time. Crude surged thanks to falling stockpiles in the United States, strong Chinese demand and unrest in key OPEC members Iran and Nigeria.
A weaker dollar also lent strong support, making crude, priced in the currency, cheaper for buyers holding other currencies.
But by December 2008, Brent had tanked to sit at around USD36 owing to severe economic recession worldwide in the wake of the global financial crisis.
