Crude oil prices rose this evening, heading back towards six-month highs touched last week, as assets that are sensitive to risk climbed after Greece approved an austerity bill to secure a second bail-out.
Brent, however, came off highs seen earlier in the session due to rising temperatures in Europe after a cold spell, and because of lingering uncertainty about economic prospects for the euro zone.
Brent crude was up 43 cents to $117.74. US crude gained 87 cents to $99.54 a barrel.
A weaker US dollar also supported oil prices. A weaker US currency makes oil cheaper for customers using other currencies.
Tension between Iran and the West, which has triggered a forthcoming EU oil embargo, and violence in Syria have spurred a risk premium and worries about supply.
