LONDON, Dec 6: Oil prices were firmer on Thursday as the market reviewed Opec’s decision to keep its current output levels and news of sharply lower crude inventories in key consumer the United States.

Early Wednesday, prices had risen sharply ahead of the Opec decision but then gave up all their gains when it became clear that there would be no change in production.

In London afternoon trade, New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for January delivery, was up 57 cents to $88.06 per barrel.

Brent North Sea crude for January added six cents to $88.56.

Crude futures, which slumped by about $10 last week, fell on Wednesday.—AFP