Crude futures settle higher

NEW YORK, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices advanced on Friday.

The West Texas Intermediate for October delivery added 1.82 U.S. dollars, or 2.49 percent, to settle at 74.83 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for October delivery gained 1.80 dollars, or 2.33 percent, to settle at 79.02 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.