WTI over $83 per barrel as October contract expires

Crude oil prices were higher Thursday, with October contracts for West Texas Intermediate crude up $1.97 to $83.90 per barrel just before the close of trade on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The October contract expires at the close of Thursday’s session.

Brent crude for November delivery was 42 cents lower to $78.05 per barrel in late morning trade in London, but by mid-afternoon New York time the contract had added 70 cents over Wednesday’s close to $79.17 per barrel.

Nymex October gasoline was 5 cents higher to $2.14 per gallon, while November heating oil gained 2 cents to $2.28 per gallon.

November natural gas was up 8 cents to $6.99 per million British thermal units.