A truck drives past an oil storage facility next to the Phillip 66 oil refinery on April 21, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo: AFP)

US oil prices surged Wednesday after a turbulent start to the week that saw them fall below zero for the first time due to a coronavirus-triggered demand shock.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for June delivery rose 18.93 percent to $13.76 a barrel, after suffering heavy falls in New York overnight.