Algeria Minister: Oil Demand, Prices Seen Strong Through 2006

Oil prices are expected to remain high for the rest of the year on continued strong demand in China, changes in U.S. gasoline specifications and geopolitical uncertainties, Algeria Oil Minister Chakib Khelil said Sunday.

“Concerns that people had that demand would fall in the second quarter were not a reality,” Khelil told reporters on the sidelines of an industry conference in Algiers.