Oil Soars, Brent Hits $50/Bbl As US Gulf Imports Hit Record Low

NEW YORK, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Oil prices surged over 4 percent on Thursday, with Brent briefly touching $50 a barrel for the first time in two weeks, after a surprisingly huge drawdown in U.S. crude stocks as Gulf Coast imports slumped to a record low.

Brent rose $2.01, or 4.2 percent, to settle at $49.99 a barrel, its highest close in almost three weeks.

U.S. crude ended at $47.62 per barrel, up $2.12, or 4.7 percent, the biggest daily percentage gain for U.S. futures since April.

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