Poland investigates leak in key pipeline carrying crude oil from Russia to Europe

Poland is investigating a leak in an oil line that carries crude from Russia to Germany.

PERN stopped flows through the northern leg of the system after detecting a leak on Tuesday.

The flow in the damaged thread was turned off, it said in a statement.

The northern section of the line supplies oil to Germany and Poland. In the last few months, it has pumped almost half a million barrels of oil a day to the two countries.

Russia has retaliated against western sanctions by increasing its energy exports.

Despite the US pushing the bloc to increase its output, it has slashed the capacity of key pipes to Europe.

Analysts at JP Morgan warned last month that the price of oil could go up to $150 a barrel.

If Russia sabotages its energy infrastructure, Europe fears that supply will fall further.

Germany accused Russia of sabotaging the system after it was discovered that damage had been caused by hundreds of pounds of explosives.

According to Poland's top energy official, initial assessments suggested that there had been "accidental damage" to Europe's energy supplies.

After news of the leak broke, the price ofBrent crude rose as much as 1.2% to $94.96, while the price ofWTI crude increased as much as 1.4% to $89.77. At last check, both benchmarks were at the same level.

There is a map showing where Europe gets its natural gas.