Twin setbacks push up oil prices

BP was hit by yet another setback on Monday when the company was forced to announce that production at its showcase Thunder Horse oil and gas field will not start until mid-2008, 18 months later than planned.

News of the delay, caused by problems with the project’s subsea infrastructure, caused oil prices to jump, ending the decline of recent weeks.
In New York, crude oil for October delivery rose 47 cents to $63.80 a barrel. BP shares closed 6p higher at 579p.