WTI ends higher in New York

Crude oil prices were slightly higher at the close of floor trade in New York on Tuesday after going as high as $138.75 in morning trade and trading lower for a time during the afternoon.

The slight declines came after Royal Dutch Shell (LSE: RDSA, RDSB; NYSE: RDS.A, RDS.B) said it has resumed operations at a Nigerian oil field that was the target of an attack by militants last week.

Shell also said, however, that the declaration that the attack left it unable to fulfill contracts remains in place for the present.

West Texas Intermediate crude for August delivery had added 29 cents from Monday’s close by the end of floor trade on the New York Mercantile Exchange to $136.38 per barrel, while August contracts for Brent crude were up 59 cents to $136.50 per barrel after going as high as $137.76 per barrel earlier in the session.

Nymex July gasoline futures were up 1 cent to $3.46 per gallon while August heating oil added 2 cents to $3.84 per gallon but August natural gas dropped 19 cents at last report to $13.14 per million British thermal units.