Oil Soars on Prospects Of New U.S. Sanctions And Surprise Stock Draw

Oil prices jumped ~3.5% in afternoon trading, extending gains to the highest levels in nearly three weeks as traders reacted to reports that Washington is weighing new sanctions on Russian energy exports and to a surprise draw in U.S. crude inventories. Live market data show Brent crude trading around $63.40 a barrel, up 3.39%, as of Wednesday at 4:39 p.m. ET, and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) trading at $59.30, up roughly 3.60%. The late-session rally accelerated after reports that the U.S. administration is considering expanded restrictions on…