Oil prices rise as U.S. sanctions tighten supply and seasonal demand surges. Can crude break through $80 and sustain its bullish momentum this week?

Oil prices ticked up but hovered near a two-week low on Tuesday after weak economic data from China and warming weather forecasts elsewhere soured the demand outlook. Brent crude oil futures rose by 60 cents,

Rising oil prices push gas costs higher, with the national average for regular gasoline now at $3.13 per gallon. Missouri remains among the 10 cheapest states for fuel, averaging $2.81 per gallon.

Oil prices fell on Wednesday, following a rise in U.S. crude stockpiles and easing worries over Libyan supply, while focus turned to potential U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports. Brent crude futures were down 59 cents,