crude oil prices

The price of oil is climbing on reports that U.S. factories have cranked into a higher gear. Benchmark U.S. crude increased Monday by $1.07 to $104.09 per barrel in New York while Brent crude rose by 68 cents to $123.56 per barrel in London.

Oil prices rose slightly to near $106 a barrel Friday in Asia after the U.S. denied reports it and Britain plan to release some their strategic crude reserves. Benchmark oil for April delivery was up 40 cents to $105.51 at late afternoon Singapore time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell 32 cents to settle at $105.11 per barrel in New York on Thursday. Brent crude for May delivery was up 55 cents at $123.15 per barrel in London.

During most of June, Western Refining followed the rest of the market down, dipping as much as 16.5%. However, its shares have since perked up -- and they have much farther to rise. The refiner is in a prime position to take advantage of a wide spread between the price of crude oil and gasoline.

Americans could see gasoline spiking 10% to 18% higher in coming weeks as a result of the unrest in the Middle East, but they're unlikely to rocket as high as some are predicting -- unless the uprisings spread to Saudi Arabia. In that case, all bets are off.

Worried about the sharp shock political unrest is giving to crude oil prices, international officials said oil-consuming nations have emergency reserves they can use to stabilize markets in case the violence in Libya and the wider Middle East escalates and crimps production.

Marathon Oil, the fifth-largest oil refiner in the U.S., is spinning off its refining business into a new company called Marathon Petroleum. Marathon Oil, meanwhile, will reduce its debt as a result of the move and will focus on oil exploration and production.

Oil prices touched a two-year high Monday on tighter inventory and expectations that a U.S. economic growth spurt will boost demand this year. Some analysts predict prices could soon gush to $100 per barrel.

The U.S. has never had $3 gas at Christmastime because the price typically gets lower as the days grow shorter. This year may be quite different, thanks to events from Canada to China. And some analysts think prices will really heat up in spring.

The mid-Atlantic region, hard hit last winter, will catch a break from the weather next time, says the Farmer's Almanac, but much of the rest of the U.S. will be colder than normal, New England in particular. For those who heat their homes with oil, however, lower prices should ease the season.

Americans may grumble about paying the current average of $2.72 a gallon. But that's way better than what folks in Eritrea are forking over: $9.59. However, Venezuelans barely pay anything -- gas there goes for 6 cents a gallon. Here's DailyFinance's exclusive list of gas prices in 34 cities worldwide.