A worker fills gas for a car at a gas station in New York, capital of the United States, on March 17, 2009. U.S. light crude for April delivery settled up $1.81 at $49.16 on the expiration day for April crude oil options, the highest settle since Dec. 1, 2008. (Xinhua/Liu Xin)

A worker fills gas for a car at a gas station in New York, capital of the United States, on March 17, 2009.(Xinhua/Liu Xin)

(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2009)