Oil rises towards $116 as EU weighs Russian ban

European Foreign Ministers disagree on oil sanctions

Oil rose towards $116 a barrel on Tuesday, adding to a 7% surge the previous day, supported by supply risks from a potential European Union oil embargo on Russia and concern about attacks on Saudi oil facilities.

European Union Foreign Ministers are split on whether to join the United States in banning Russian oil. Some countries, including Germany, say the bloc is too dependent on Russia's fossil fuels to withstand such a step.

"It is still not clear whether this will really happen," wrote Carsten Fritsch of Commerzbank in a report, adding: "a decision of this kind requires unanimity."

Brent crude rose 13 cents, or 0.1%, to $115.75 a barrel by 1326 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude added 11 cents, or 0.1%, to $112.23. Both contracts had settled up more than 7% on Monday.

Oil was pressured by a stronger U.S. dollar, which gained after comments from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Monday that flagged a more aggressive tightening of monetary policy than previously anticipated.

A strong dollar makes crude more expensive for other currency holders and tends to weigh on risk appetite.

"The word 'transitory' regarding inflation is a distant memory, chiefly due to rising commodity prices," said Tamas Varga of broker PVM. "Central banks, led by the Federal Reserve, stand ready to increase the cost of borrowing significantly."