Oil prices rose more than $1 on Tuesday as the recent sharp falls due to the coronavirus pandemic encouraged bargain hunters to come forward, although the market remains volatile as the spread of the infection disrupts economies and hurts demand. Brent crude (LCOc1) was up by 1.5%, or 46 cents, to $30.51 a barrel, after hitting a high of $31.25. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude (CLc1) rose 3.2%, or 92 cents, to $29.62, having come off a high of $30.21. Amid heavy demand loss from the global spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, Saudi Arabia and Russia started a price war after failing to agree to extend their pact to cut output to support the market. Saudi Aramco has said this week it would likely carry over its planned higher oil output for April into the following month, and that it was "very comfortable" with an oil price of $30 a barrel. Several countries - including the United States and Canada, and nations in Europe and Asia - are taking unprecedented steps to contain the virus, severely crippling demand for crude and refined products such as gasoline and jet fuel.