Despite Monday being a federal holiday in the states, crude oil prices rose in trading after an attack on an oil pipeline pumping station in the Caspian Sea interrupted flows of oil from Kazakhstan.
Western firms including Chevron and Exxon Mobil were among those using the line. The attack came a day before U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was scheduled to meet with Russia’s Foreign Minister in Saudi Arabia.
Prices were also strengthened as the dollar index remained near a two-month low.
Global benchmark Brent crude finished at $75.22 a barrel, an increase of 48 cents.
West Texas Intermediate crude gained 65 cents to $71.39 a barrel but Reuters reported it did not settle at its normal time because of the U.S. Presidents’ Day holiday.