Crude futures settle higher

NEW YORK, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices climbed on Tuesday.

The West Texas Intermediate for January delivery gained 1.84 U.S. dollars, or 2.7 percent, to settle at 69.94 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for February delivery went up 1.79 dollars, or 2.49 percent, to settle at 73.62 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.