informing per "Lel Bruce Peto" on current newsflash: The battle is on to put out fires at Iraqi oil wells Oil prices have marched higher and key share indexes have fallen, as the war in Iraq continues to dominate world markets. The North Sea's Brent oil - a benchmark for world oil prices - gained $1.53 to $26.82, while US-grade oil rose by nearly two dollars to $30.37.