By Clyde Russell LAUNCESTON, Australia (Reuters) -"This time it's different" is a well-worn cliché that seems to be getting another whirl with the latest U.S. sanctions against Russia's crude oil exports.

Goldman Sachs is warning of potential upside risks to oil prices following U.S. sanctions on Russia's energy sector, with Brent crude already approaching $80 per barrel and the possibility of hitting $90 under certain scenarios.

On Jan. 10, the U.S. Treasury announced fresh measures to deplete Russia's energy revenues, including on 183 vessels, largely oil tankers.

Oil prices fell back slightly on Thursday, a day after settling at multi-month highs on U.S. President Joe Biden's latest sanctions targeting Russia and a larger than forecast fall in U.S. crude stocks.

The sanctions imposed by the United States on January 10 against the Russian oil sector have halted about one-tenth of Russia's shadow fleet. The value of the oil it transports could exceed $3.5 billion.