Crude benchmarks climbed towards steep weekly advances, lifted by renewed geopolitical friction and threats to Middle Eastern oil facilities.
Brent crude touched $114.00 per barrel, representing an increase of approximately $6 per barrel across the week. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate traded at $100.40 per barrel, crossing the $100 threshold after starting the week near $99 per barrel.
According to reporting by OilPrice.com, market attention has centred on Houthi offensive actions targeting energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, with assets operated by state producer Saudi Aramco among the targets.
The widening price spread between the two primary contracts reflects the direct exposure of seaborne Middle Eastern supplies to regional unrest, keeping market participants focused on potential physical disruptions to Gulf export infrastructure.