LONDON, Feb 16: World oil prices rose on Friday after reports that militants were planning fresh attacks on Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region, analysts said.

Prices had earlier fallen on expected warmer weather in the United States, which weakens demand for heating fuel.

In London, the price of Brent North Sea crude for April delivery climbed 79 cents to $58.39 per barrel in electronic deals.

New York’s main oil futures contract, light sweet crude for delivery in March, gained 81 cents to $58.80 per barrel in pit trading.

“The US consulate in Nigeria has said one of the militant groups in Nigeria is planning to expand their attacks,” Sucden analyst Michael Davies said in London.

World oil prices had finished mixed on Thursday, with Brent crude falling briefly below $57 per barrel in London as traders continued to focus on the buoyant state of US energy stockpiles.—AFP