Global oil prices have soared after the US Energy Department reported a larger-than-expected decline in petrol and oil inventories.

Activity at refineries also dropped unexpectedly, the data suggested.

US light, sweet crude climbed $1.78 to $73.51 a barrel while in London, Brent crude added $1.58 to $72.13.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6969347.stm