WTI prices ride roller-coaster on session

Crude oil prices were up on Thursday as traders bet that problems in the subprime mortgage sector won’t spread to the wider economy and hurt demand.

After a roller-coaster session that saw prices climb, fall, then climb again, West Texas Intermediate for October delivery was 34 cents higher to $69.60 per barrel near the close of floor trade.

October contracts for Brent crude, trading on the Intercontinental Exchange in London, was up $1.23 to $69.93 per barrel by mid-afternoon in New York.

Nymex September gasoline gained 1 cent to $1.90 per gallon, while October heating oil was also up a cent to $1.98 per gallon.

October natural gas was 2 cents higher to $5.81 per million British thermal units.