UPDATE 6-Oil surges on supply worries, economic data

(Updates prices)

LONDON, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Oil prices soared $1.50 to near $95 a barrel on Thursday, supported by supply concerns and better-than-expected economic data from the United States and Japan, the largest and third-largest oil consumers.

Refinery snags and Venezuela's move to halt sales to Exxon Mobil (XOM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) in the midst of a legal dispute stoked the price run-up.

"A number of supply-driven factors have reminded the market of how thin spare capacity of production really is -- Nigeria, North Sea glitches and geopolitical tension," said Harry Tchilinguirian of BNP Paribas.

"Added to that, positive surprises in U.S. retail sales and Japanese GDP growth last quarter, and equities and oil markets are better oriented."

U.S. crude CLc1 rose $1.54 to $94.81 a barrel by 1712 GMT, after rising as high as $95.44 -- the highest level since Jan. 10. Brent crude LCOc1 gained $1.51 to $94.83 a barrel.

Oil and equities also got a boost from Wednesday's U.S. retail sales data, which eased fears of a consumer spending collapse, and much stronger-than-forecast Japanese growth, reported on Thursday.

Japan's economy expanded by 0.9 percent in the fourth quarter, more than double forecasts.

Oil in the United States has been trading in a narrow range near $90 a barrel as fears of a U.S. recession prevent oil from revisiting an all-time high of $100.09 hit on Jan. 3.