Oil prices rise sharply as Middle East escalation risks disruption to supplies

Oil prices rise sharply as Middle East escalation risks disruption to supplies Oil prices rose sharply on Monday, pushing Brent crude above $107 a barrel as escalating tensions in the Middle East stoked fears of disruptions to global energy supplies. Brent crude for November delivery gained 2.8 percent to $107.54 a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for October rose 2.3 percent to $102.34. Both contracts extended last week's gains after climbing back above the $100 threshold. Global oil supplies face a challenge after Saudi Arabia shut an oil pipeline following a drone attack and Iran-backed Houthis took control of a key island overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a chokepoint for Red Sea maritime traffic.