Oil Markets Hit Multiple Records as Russia Sanctions Bite, Disrupt Trade Flows

Oil Markets Hit Multiple Records as Russia Sanctions Bite, Disrupt Trade Flows
Oil barrels are pictured at the site of Canadian group Vermilion Energy in Parentis-en-Born, France, on Oct. 13, 2017. Regis Duvignau/Reuters
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Oil benchmarks are hitting multiple prices and spread milestones across several key markets as the fallout from severe sanctions on key exporter Russia sows confusion and panic among global crude oil traders, shipping firms, and importers.

Brent crude topped $112 a barrel on Wednesday, the highest since 2014, shrugging off news that several developed countries plan to release a record 60 million barrels of strategic petroleum reserves to cool prices.