Crude futures settle higher

NEW YORK, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices climbed on Wednesday.

The West Texas Intermediate for January delivery increased by 31 cents, or 0.53 percent, to settle at 58.95 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for February delivery gained 22 cents, or 0.35 percent, to settle at 62.67 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.