Investing.com - Crude oil prices jumped on Friday ahead of U.S. jobs data that is expected to show continued strength in the U.S. economy, which is positive for demand.
Non-farm payrolls are seen posting 240,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate is expected to edge down to 5.7% from 5.8%.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude oil for delivery in February rose 0.86% to trade at $48.61 a barrel.
Elsewhere, on the ICE Futures Exchange in London, Brent oil for February delivery hit a session high of $51.90 a barrel Thursday, before turning lower to trade at $50.99, down 17 cents, or 0.32%.
London-traded Brent prices lost nearly 48% in 2014, while WTI futures dropped almost 46% after the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries decided to maintain its output target at 30 million barrels a day.
The decision disappointed hopes the oil cartel would lower production to support the market, as a surplus develops amid the shale boom in the U.S., which is pumping at the fastest pace in more than 30 years.