World oil prices have rebounded towards record high points within striking distance of $100 a barrel due to supply concerns in the North Sea and unrest in oil-rich Yemen.
US crude climbed $1.16 a barrel to $97.53. On Wednesday it had hit an historic peak of $98.62. In London, Brent North Sea crude gained $1.41 to $94.65, not far from its high of $95.19.
Prices began rising again amid news that an impending storm over the North Sea forced oil firms to temporarily close platforms off the Norwegian coast, cutting its production by 10%. Norway is the world's fifth largest exporter of crude.
Meanwhile, there was oil-related unrest in Yemen, as clashes between Yemeni tribesmen and security personnel protecting a Ukrainian oil company left 16 people dead in Shabwa province, east of the capital, the Yemen defence ministry said.
One of the world's poorest nations despite its proximity to oil-rich Saudi Arabia, Yemen produces 380,000 barrels of crude a day.
