Crude oil futures rose sharply on Monday as geopolitical tensions over the disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist stoked worries about supply, although concerns about the long-term outlook for demand dragged on prices.
Crude markets were also supported in the wake of data that showed South Korea did not import any oil from Iran in September for the first time in six years, before US sanctions against the Middle East country take effect in November.
Brent crude had risen 98 cents, or 1.22 per cent, to 81.41 a barrel by 0124 GMT, on track for its biggest daily gain since October 9.
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