LONDON (AFP) - World oil prices surged close to $87 on Tuesday, scaling a new 18-month high point, on optimism about the global economic recovery, analysts said. New Yorks main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in May, spiked to 86.97 dollars which was the highest level since October 9, 2008. It later stood at 86.87 dollars, up 25 cents. Londons Brent North Sea crude for May rose 34 cents to 86.22 dollars/barrel.