Oil prices rose for a third consecutive day today boosted by a larger-than-expected fall in U.S. fuel stocks and continued tensions in the Middle East. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration – gasoline stocks fell by 3.15 million barrels and distillate stocks fell 3.2 million barrels. Crude stocks, however, posted a larger-than-expected build of 5.5 million barrels. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 55 cents per gallon to close at $73.86 barrel. Brent crude futures settled 62 cents higher at US$79.21 per barrel. In Canada One Exchange WCS for March delivery settled today at US$19.05 below the WTI-CMA. The implied value was US$54.85.