It really is very simple. Capitalism, free markets, and all that.
The people who purchase oil are nervous their supplies will not be steady or as forthcoming as they might like.
So on the "spot", or free, market they are willing to pay more to lock up a steady supply.
And the reason they are nervous is BECAUSE SOME MADMAN HAS DESTABILIZED A HUGE PART OF THE OIL-PRODUCING WORLD, TURNING IT INTO CHAOS AND HATRED.
Very simple, really. The interface of supply, demand, capitalism, sheer stupidity, greed, and hate.
Arf (Bow, next they're going to want to know why Middle Easterners don't like America. Ya mean the ones that are left alive?)