Crude oil futures rose 0.66 per cent to Rs 5,987 per barrel today as speculators created positions amid a firm trend in Asia.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil for delivery in August gained Rs 39, or 0.66 per cent, to Rs 5,987 per barrel, with a business turnover of 3,073 lots.
The oil for September delivery moved up by Rs 33, or 0.56 per cent, to Rs 5,971 per barrel, with a business volume of 170 lots.
Marketmen said the rise in crude oil futures was largely in tandem with a firming trend in Asian trade on bargain-hunting, but gains were capped by concerns about tepid demand in the US.
Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate crude prices for September delivery advanced by 27 cents to USD 97.65, while Brent crude gained 31 cents to USD 104.92 a barrel in mid-morning trade on the New York Mercantile Exchange.