LONDON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Petrol prices rose across the European Union this week as an extended strike stopping oil exports in Venezuela increased demand for European supplies, industry experts said on Friday.
"If wholesale prices are high and stocks aren't sufficient, that means high (pump) prices in Europe as the U.S. pulls away gasoline (to cover for the strike)," said Peter Regnier of Oil Price Assessments Limited (OPAL).
Wholesale prices on the benchmark Rotterdam market have shown unseasonal strength, hitting $289 a tonne this week, up 20 percent from the $240 level at the end of November.
In the Netherlands, pump prices rose one euro cent on Friday, lifting total gains for the month to five euro cents ($0.051) a litre, according to OPAL figures. A tax rise from January 1 will add another 2.6 euro cents.
Belgium saw a 2.6 euro cent rise on Friday, while cars filling up in Luxembourg have to pay 1.8 more. Total rises this month in both countries are around 3.5 euro cents.
In Germany prices this month have been volatile but have increased three euro cents in total, while French drivers had to pay 1.5 euro cents more this week.
In the UK, majors BP and ChevronTexaco said they had raised prices at some sites by one penny this week while Shell said it had seen no rises across the board.
The Mediterranean gasoline market has also been strong, with Spanish and Italian petrol prices up around two euro cents a litre.