Brent crude is trading at $84.21/bbl

Crude oil prices rose as much as Rs 72 to Rs 6,659 a barrel in futures trade on Thursday as participants widened their positions on firm sight demand. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude for May delivery traded up Rs 72 or 1.09% at Rs 6,659 per barrel in 9,088 lots.

Analysts said increased betting by participants kept crude oil prices higher in futures trading. Globally, West Texas Intermediate crude rose 0.84 percent to $79.65 a barrel, and Brent crude traded 0.75 percent higher in New York at $84.21 a barrel.