VOL. XLVI

No 51/52

22/29-December-2003

OPECOIL PRICES

Crude Prices Buoyant As Demand Strengthens

Crude oil prices rose last week to their highest level since the US-led invasion of Iraq, as evidence of demand strength increased the pressure within a market already tightened by low US inventories. The continuation of anti-Coalition hostilities and oil pipeline sabotage following the capture of former Iraqi President Saddam Husain showed that Iraqi security issues remained a prime concern for...