Crude oil futures rose by 1.24% to Rs 5,396 per barrel today, as speculators enlarged their positions following firming global trend.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil for delivery in March rose by Rs 56, or 1.07%, to Rs 5,283 per barrel in 5,448 lots.
The April contract moved up by Rs 55, or 1.06%, to Rs 5,337 per barrel in 702 lots.
Analysts attributed the rise in crude futures to a firming trend in Asian trade, supported by upbeat US economic data and fears over supply disruptions in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, crude oil for delivery in April advanced by one cent to $107.08 a barrel in morning trade on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
