NEW YORK, May 23 (Xinhua) -- World crude oil prices surged above 71 dollars Tuesday amid concerns over an active hurricanes season, on the eve of U.S. weekly energy stocks report.

    New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in July, rose 1.80 dollars to close at 71.76 dollars a barrel.

    In London, Brent North Sea crude for July delivery added 1.65 dollars to 71.00 dollars a barrel.

    U.S. National Weather Service said Monday the six-month Atlantic hurricane season, which starts in June and end in November, is "very active", although is unlikely to reach the records set last year, when there were 28 tropical storms, 15 of which strengthened into hurricanes.

    "It is statistically within reason to assume that two to four hurricanes could affect the United States," said Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher, who heads the Administrator of the National Oceanographic Administration.

    The Energy Department will update the inventory statistics Wednesday morning.

    Traders are still concerned about Iran's nuclear standoff with the international community.

    Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki expressed hope Tuesday that Europe's latest proposal aimed to resolve the standoff over Iran's nuclear program would be comprehensive and balanced. Enditem