Oil prices continue surge

油价持续飙升

World Business Report

2026-03-18

8 分钟
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The escalation in the Middle East is continuing to drive up energy prices, with the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, effectively closed. We bring you the latest on oil prices and how wider stock markets are responding. Despite higher prices, US oil production is not accelerating as some might expect. The number of active rigs remains below last year’s levels, and investment in new drilling is expected to stay modest into 2026. At the same time, political tensions are adding another layer of uncertainty. US President Donald Trump says he is considering delaying a planned summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, citing both the ongoing conflict with Iran and efforts to reopen key shipping routes. So how is this being viewed from Beijing? And as energy costs climb, businesses around the world are already feeling the pressure. In Kolkata, makers of one of India’s most famous dishes, biryani, say gas shortages and rising costs are hitting their livelihoods, as we hear from restaurant owners struggling to keep up with demand.
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  • This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

  • Today's episode is sponsored by Smart Travel, a podcast from NerdWallet.

  • You know that one friend who always finds the best travel deals, picks the right credit cards

  • and somehow ends up in first class for the price of coach?

  • If oil prices are higher, then why isn't the US producing more?

  • It's World Business Express from the BBC World Service.

  • I'm Leanna Byrne.

  • How is China's media taking the news that the US might postpone their trade talks and how gas shortages in India are hitting the biryani sellers in Kolkata?

  • The escalation in the Middle East continues to push up energy prices while the Strait of Hormuz,

  • the choke point for all shipping in and out of the Persian Gulf, remains effectively shut.

  • With me now with the latest is Fiona Sincada, Senior Market Analyst at CitiIndex.

  • Fiona, where are the oil and gas prices at now?

  • Yes, so oil prices are still hovering around that $100 a barrel level.

  • That's Brent.

  • It's up around 2% today.

  • Still up over 40% since the start of the conflict.

  • And that's basically amid supply worries with the straight-up hormones still effectively closed.

  • And then energy, we're still looking at a 60% gain across the month so far.

  • Interestingly, Fiona, there's been a wider market recovery, hasn't there been?

  • Yeah, this is really interesting.