Oil rises more than 2 percent as the Gulf of Mexico braces for a hurricane

New York-Sana

Oil prices rose more than two percent today, supported by supply disruptions in the United States, as Hurricane Sally approaches the US coast.

Reuters reported that Brent crude rose 92 cents, equivalent to 2.3 percent, to determine the settlement price at $ 40.53 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose $ 1.22 or 2.7 percent to close at $ 38.28 a barrel.

The rise in oil contracts comes just before Hurricane Sally is expected to hit the US coast on the Gulf of Mexico.

More than a quarter of US offshore oil and gas production was halted, and major export ports were closed as the storm's path turned eastward, west of Alabama, bypassing some Gulf Coast refineries.