Oil prices rise as Hurricane Delta approaches U.S. Gulf of Mexico

MELBOURNE: Oil prices rose on Thursday as oil workers evacuated rigs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico ahead of Hurricane Delta, though fuel demand concerns persisted on fading chances for an economic stimulus deal in the United States, the world’s biggest oil consumer.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 13 cents, or 0.3%, to $40.08 a barrel at 0215 GMT, after falling 1.8% on Wednesday.