Oil prices rise on expected U.S. crude inventory draw

By Henning Gloystein SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Wednesday on expectations of a U.S. crude inventory draw, although trading activity was muted as markets start to wind down ahead of the Christmas weekend. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures were trading at $53.73 per barrel at 0756 GMT, up 43 cents, or 0.81 percent from their last settlement. International Brent crude oil futures were at $55.59 a barrel, up 44 cents, or 0.79 percent.