Abu dhabi: Brent crude futures rose by more than $1 per barrel in early Asian trading. Brent crude futures gained $1.09, or 1.35 percent, to US$81.66 per barrel after touching an intraday high of US$82.30 at the start of trading. According to Emirates News Agency, the increase was driven by renewed concerns over global oil supplies and uncertainty surrounding energy shipments through key Middle East export routes, supporting crude prices in early trading.