Oil prices jumped on Thursday, extending steep gains in the previous session on signs the U.S. crude glut is not growing as quickly as expected and that gasoline demand battered by COVID-19 restrictions is starting to pick up.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures climbed to a high of US$17.35 a barrel and were up 14.3%, or $2.15, at $17.21 at 0350 GMT. The U.S. benchmark surged 22% on Wednesday.
Brent crude rose 10.3%, or $2.33 to $24.87 a barrel in light trading, with the June contract expiring on Thursday. The contract hit a high of $24.91 earlier in the session, having posted a 10% gain on Wednesday.
Solo Oil PLC (LON:SOLO) is an investment company with the target of acquiring a diverse global portfolio of direct and indirect interests in exploration, development and production oil and gas assets, both on-shore and off-shore.