Yahoo Finance Oil prices rise amid prospect of widespread fuel shortfalls
Signs of a global energy crunch pushed up oil prices as markets grappled with the prospect of widespread fuel shortfalls heading into the end of the year.
Brent crude, the world benchmark, touched $80 (€67) per barrel on Tuesday while the US oil benchmark crude wasn't far behind, both reaching three-year highs.
Goldman Sachs says it expects a global energy rally for months to come. The investment bank forecast on Sunday that Brent would hit $90 (approximately €77) a barrel before the end of the year, up from its previous call for $80 (€68).
The latest gains for Brent came amid a broad rally in energy markets, with growing competition between Europe and China contributing to drive gas prices to record levels in recent weeks.
A shortfall in global gas production, along with a concerted drive in China to cut down on pollution from heavy industry, is expected to push crude higher as industries shift to using oil to generate power.
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UK eases competition rules for fuel industry as petrol stations run dry
Meanwhile, the UK has been gripped by a fuel supply crisis triggered by a shortage of HGV drivers and motorists queueing for petrol, causing the stations to run dry after a spate of panic-buying.
