Crude surges in Asia as US reaches debt deal

SINGAPORE: Crude oil markets rallied in Asian trade on Monday amid relief at the announcement of an elusive US debt deal, analysts said.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in September, surged $1.53 to $97.23 per barrel.

Brent North Sea crude gained $1.25 to $117.99.

"What we are seeing is a relief rally in the oil markets... it is really due to the deal in the US regarding raising the debt ceiling," said Victor Shum, senior principal of Purvin and Gertz energy consultants in Singapore.

US president Barack Obama announced late Sunday an 11th-hour deal to avert a potentially catastrophic debt default for the United States, the world's richest country and biggest oil consumer.

The deal would raise the country's $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by about $2.4 trillion in two steps, while calling for roughly the same about in spending cuts over 10 years.

In the US Congress, leaders of the Democratic-held Senate and the Republican-led House of Representatives said they would present the framework to their rank-and-file on Monday ahead of final votes to approve the deal.

All eyes will now be turned to Congress, which will have to approve the deal before midnight Tuesday (0400 GMT Wednesday) to prevent the default.

Crude markets were depressed last week as the August 2 deadline for reaching a compromise debt deal loomed.

A default by the United States would send shudders through the global economy that could lead to another financial crisis.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011