Crude oil prices on Monday climbed Rs 77 to Rs 3,340 per barrel as speculators increased their holdings driven by firm trend overseas.
Analysts said raising of bets by participants kept crude prices higher in futures trade here.
On the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil for delivery in March traded higher by Rs 77, or 2.36 per cent, to Rs 3,340 per barrel in 78,683 lots.
Crude oil for April delivery was up by Rs 73, or 2.22 per cent, to Rs 3,367 per barrel with an open interest of 1,753 lots.
Globally, West Texas Intermediate was trading higher by 2.66 per cent at USD 45.95 per barrel and Brent crude was up by 2.94 per cent to USD 51.13 per barrel in New York.