Oil prices edged up in Asian trading, heading for a weekly gain of more than 3 per cent as US jobs data calmed demand concerns and fears of a widening Middle East conflict persisted, Reuters reports.

Brent crude futures rose 2 cents, or 0.03pc, to $79.18 a barrel by 0651 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 10 cents at $76.29 per barrel.

Both Brent and WTI were set to gain more than 3pc on a weekly basis.