Crude oil futures prices rose by 0.28 per cent to Rs 4,997 a barrel today as speculators created fresh positions amid a firm trend in Asia.

At the Multi-Commodity Exchange, crude oil for delivery in January gained Rs 14, or 0.28 per cent, to Rs 4,997 per barrel, with a business turnover of 6,217 lots.

The oil for February delivery moved up by Rs 12, or 0.24 per cent, to Rs 5,048 per barrel, with a business volume of 513 lots.

Marketmen said the rise in crude oil futures was largely in tandem with a firming trend in Asia.

Meanwhile, crude oil for February delivery advanced by six cents to $91.04 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.