International oil prices close strongly amid concerns over recovery in exports and supply from the Middle East

(New York = Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Yeon-sook = On the 6th (local time), international oil prices closed at a strong level.

On the ICE Futures Exchange, Brent crude oil for December delivery ended trading at $100.58 per barrel, up 0.26% from the previous price.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil for November delivery closed at $89.44 per barrel, up 0.01% from the previous price.

Amid continued supply concerns, the market is watching the recent increase in crude oil exports from the Middle East and the impact of the agreement between the seven major countries (G7) on the release of oil reserves, which will affect future supply and demand.

Vitol, the world's largest raw materials trading company, announced that approximately 12 million barrels of crude oil and 2 million barrels of petroleum products per day were loaded onto oil tankers and left the Middle East over the past 7 to 10 days.

Transport volume through Saudi Arabia's east-west oil pipeline also showed a stable flow, alleviating some short-term supply concerns.

Previously, the G7 agreed to release a total of 100 million barrels of oil reserves, including crude oil and diesel, over four months.

However, concerns over supply disruptions are growing as military tensions continue, including continued attacks by Yemeni rebels Houthis on Saudi airports and oil refineries.