LONDON (Sept. 12, 2001) — Oil prices jumped nearly $3 a barrel yesterday amid uncertainty following terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C.

London Brent blend futures peaked at $31.05 U.S. a barrel before settling at $29 at the close of day on London’s International Petroleum Exchange. The price was the highest for London Brent since December 2000.

However, in trading this morning, London Brent blend futures were down 46 cents to $28.60 a barrel after leaders of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries offered reassurances of adequate oil supplies. OPEC secretary-general Ali Rodriguez said the cartel “will do everything possible” to help maintain stable oil prices. He did not say whether OPEC would increase production when it meets in Vienna on Sept. 27.

The New York Mercantile Exchange, where commodities are traded in North America, was closed yesterday following the attacks, leaving the London exchange as the only outlet for international futures trading.

Terrorists crashed two airliners into the World Trade Center, collapsing the twin 110-story towers. A plane also slammed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a fourth crashed in Pennsylvania.