By the OGJ Online Staff
HOUSTON, Dec. 26 -- Energy futures prices got a boost in international markets prior to the Christmas holidays.
The February contact for benchmark US light, sweet crudes bumped up 34¢ to $19.62/bbl Friday on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while the March contract gained 25¢ to $19.82/bbl.
Unleaded gasoline for January delivery increased by 0.83¢ to 55.86¢/gal on the NYMEX. Home heating oil for the same month gained 0.35¢ to 54.84¢/gal. The January natural gas contract jumped 20.9¢ to $2.90/Mcf.
In London, the February position for North Sea Brent crude rose 23¢ to $19.36/bbl on the International Petroleum Exchange.
The NYMEX and IPE were closed Monday and Tuesday for the Christmas holiday.
