Crude futures settle higher

NEW YORK, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices advanced on Thursday.

The West Texas Intermediate for May delivery added 1.82 U.S. dollars, or 2.24 percent, to settle at 83.17 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for May delivery went up 1.39 dollars, or 1.61 percent, to settle at 87.48 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.