Crude futures settle higher

Oil prices climbed on Wednesday.

The West Texas Intermediate for March delivery increased 55 cents, or 0.75 percent, to settle at 73.86 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for April delivery added 62 cents, or 0.79 percent, to settle at 79.21 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.