Crude oil futures prices today rose 0.42 per cent to Rs 6,866 per barrel after speculators enlarged positions amid a firm trend in the Asian region.
On the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil for delivery in September traded higher by Rs 29 or 0.42 per cent at Rs 6,866 per barrel with a business turnover of 2,637 lots.
Similarly, October contract also rose by a similar margin to trade at Rs 6,862 per barrel with a business volume of 277 lots.
Market analysts attributed the rise in crude oil futures to a firm trend in Asia as disappointing US housing data tempered expectations of stimulus tapering by the Federal Reserve.
Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate crude for October delivery rose 36 cents to $106.78 a barrel in mid-morning trade on the New York Mercantile Exchange.