US crude benchmark rises above $100 at open, Brent above $115

The price of the main US benchmark for oil rose over three percent Monday to once again surpass USD 100 a barrel, while Brent climbed above USD 115 with no end in sight for the war in the Middle East.

A barrel of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) -- the US benchmark -- for May delivery rose 3.50 per cent to USD 103.13 just minutes after Asian markets opened.

A barrel of North Sea Brent meanwhile rose 2.98 per cent to USD 115.93.