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- Crude oil prices hit a 26-month high at over US$ 92 a barrel this week-end, closing 2010 up 15% on expectations that the economic recovery will drive demand growth next year and push prices into triple digits.

- Crude oil prices rose to a 2-year peak in the second week of November 2010, on support from a stronger-than-expected USA jobs report, but was offset in a rebound by the dollar.

- Crude oil prices declined to the lowest level in the initial two weeks of October, as the dollar strengthened, curbing the appeal of commodities as an alternative investment.

- Crude oil prices climbed dramatically in the second week of October amid speculation that the Federal Reserve will step in to stimulate the economy after a government report showed job losses were more than anticipated in September.

- Crude oil prices rose sharply this week, particularly on Friday, posting the best percentage weekly gain in nearly 7-1/2 months as the US$ slumped and China posted strong economic data fuelling hopes for greater oil demand.

- Crude oil prices gained in the second last week of September despite worries about the wearing US economy and upward pressure from a weakening dollar.

- The repair of the leak in a key pipeline that brings oil from Canada to refineries in the Midwest USA eased supply shortages this week and prices recoiled the upward nudge it had last week.

- Oil prices surged around 3 per cent higher on Friday, 10th September, back to over the US$ 76 mark as an oil leak prompted a major US oil pipeline to shut down, while the markets covered positions in WTI oil.