Oil price jumps US$5 a barrel as EU nears ban on Russian oil

Brent crude LCOc1 futures settled up $5.17, or 4.9%, to $110.14 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 futures settled at $107.81 a barrel, up $5.40, or 5.3%.

NEW YORK: Oil prices jumped on Wednesday, as the European Union, the world's largest trading bloc, spelled out plans to phase out imports of Russian oil, raising concerns about further market tightness as those nations hunt for adequate supply.

Crude benchmarks have risen steadily over the past two months following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Until now, the European Union has been reluctant to fully cut off imports of Russian oil and gas, and its plans still do not suggest a full ban for all EU members.