Oil prices rose this evening as investors bet that worse than expected unemployment in the United States will have boosted the case for looser monetary policy that would weaken the dollar.
Oil prices received further support as a strike at France's top oil port, now in its 12th day threatened to cut European oil products output. US crude rose $1 to $82.67 a barrel, while Brent crude rose 63 cents to $84.06.
The US dollar slid to a 15-year low against the Japanese yen after the US jobs figures raised expectations for further asset purchases from the US Federal Reserve.
A weak dollar boosts oil by making dollar-denominated commodities cheaper for buyers holding other currencies, lowering the value of dollars paid to producers and attracting investment looking to shift from cash to commodities.
Meanwhile, four oil refineries in southern France face closure this weekend after workers at a key oil port voted to continue a strike for a 12th day.
The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries meets in Vienna next week to consider production and policy with crude prices since May hemmed between the $64.24 intra-day low on May 20, the weakest price since July 30 2009, and the 2010 peak of $87.15 reached on May 3.
