World oil prices diverged today amid stubborn investor tensions over the worsening euro zone debt crisis, which could curb global appetite for energy, traders said.
The market was also hit by the rising greenback, which makes dollar-priced commodities become more expensive for buyers using weaker currencies, denting demand.
Brent North Sea oil for August gained 22 cents to $117.02 in London late afternoon deals.
But New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for delivery in August, slid 96 cents to $96.11 a barrel.
