SINGAPORE: World oil prices were higher above 43 dollars on Monday in quiet pre-Christmas trade but weakening demand continued to weigh on the market, dealers said. New York's main futures contract, light sweet crude for February delivery, was up 84 cents at 43.20 dollars a barrel.
Brent crude oil for February delivery rose 68 cents to 44.68 dollars a barrel after rising 64 cents to settle at 44.00 on Friday in London.
At the close of trading in New York on Friday, the contract for January delivery expired at 33.87 dollars a barrel,down 2.35.