Middle East fighting sent crude oil prices up again on Wednesday

Those continuing worries the fighting in the Middle East will eventually affect oil supplies from the region sent crude oil prices up again on Wednesday.

The price gain came even with a buildup of crude stocks in the U.S. The region now waits for Israel’s response to Iran’s attacks of nearly 200 missiles this week. Some fear Israel will retaliate with an attack possibly on Iran’s crude oil supplies, a move that would disrupt crude oil shipments.

In the U.S., the West Texas Intermediate crude rose 27 cent or 0.39% to close Wednesday at $70.10 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Brent, the global benchmark, gained 34 cents or 0.46% to settle at $73.90 a barrel.

It was another day of gains for most Oklahoma energy stocks. Mammoth Energy led the way with a nearly 9% boost for the day.