Oil prices rise and Brent records $72.95 per barrel

Oil prices rose today, Tuesday, in weak trading before the Christmas holiday, and prices received support from US economic data and high demand for oil in India, the third largest oil importer in the world.

Brent crude futures rose 33 cents, or 0.45 percent, to $72.95 per barrel.

US West Texas Intermediate crude futures also increased 29 cents, or 0.42 percent, to $69.53 per barrel.