Crude oil futures ended higher on Tuesday amid investors closely followed the developments on the geopolitical front and awaited weekly oil reports. The shutdown of Libya's 270,000 barrel per day Sharara oil field offered some support to oil prices. Output from Libya's Sharara field stopped completely, as dueling administrations battle for control over the North African nation. Meanwhile, traders await weekly oil reports from the American Petroleum Institute (API) and U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Benchmark U.S. crude oil futures for September delivery rose $0.26 or about 0.36% to $73.20 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for October delivery gained $0.18 or about 0.23% to $76.48 per barrel on London's Intercontinental Exchange.