Crude futures settle higher

NEW YORK, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices rose on Friday.

The West Texas Intermediate for January delivery gained 1.89 U.S. dollars, or 2.73 percent, to settle at 71.23 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for February delivery went up 1.79 dollars, or 2.42 percent, to settle at 75.84 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.