LONDON, March 12, 2008 (AFP) — Oil prices were again close to record levels of almost 110 dollars on Wednesday, supported by a weak dollar and ever-tightening energy supplies, analysts said.

New York's main oil contract, light sweet crude for delivery in April, rose 16 cents to 108.91 dollars per barrel, after striking an historic high of 109.72 dollars on Tuesday.

Brent North Sea crude for April edged 11 cents higher to 105.36 dollars. The contract had struck a record peak of 105.82 on Tuesday.

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"Crude futures were a little higher (on Wednesday), holding firm after robust gains ... and ahead of the key weekly report on US (energy) inventories," said Sucden analyst Andrey Kryuchenkov.

A surprise drop in US crude inventories helped spark a record-breaking run last week.

This week, oil prices have ventured further into record territory, with New York crude climbing past 107, 108 and 109 dollars and with the symbolic 110 now within grasp.

Investors have pumped cash into commodities amid resurgent jitters about rising global inflation and a potential US recession, and with the dollar plunging to a series of record lows against the euro.

The dollar plunged Wednesday to fresh record lows, with the euro topping the 1.55 dollars level for the first time in its history.

In mid-afternoon London trade, the euro soared as high as 1.5503 dollars before easing slightly to stand at 1.5489.

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