The oil industry group American Petroleum Institute said Tuesday that U.S. crude stocks fell by 7.9 million barrels last week, much more than analysts' estimates.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration delayed releasing its oil inventory report due to the Christmas holiday.
The West Texas Intermediate for February delivery settled 57 cents higher at 61.68 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for February delivery added 72 cents to close at 67.92 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.
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