Crude futures settle higher

NEW YORK, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices advanced on Friday.

The West Texas Intermediate for February delivery went up 98 cents, or 1.41 percent, to settle at 70.6 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for February delivery gained 91 cents, or 1.24 percent, to settle at 74.17 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.