. Oil prices rise ahead of OPEC meeting

. Oil prices rise ahead of OPEC meeting

Crude oil prices pushed higher on Monday (Tuesday morning GMT ) ahead of OPEC meeting in December about the oil market , as Saudi Arabia said there was no change in cartel output ceiling .

Strong economic data from China , Europe and the United States also helped strengthen oil prices , analysts said , AFP reported .

The main contract , light sweet crude or West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) for delivery in January , rose 1.10 dollars to close at 93.82 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange .

Brent North Sea crude for January delivery increased 1.76 dollars to 111.45 dollars in London trade .

" Prices have been supported by a number of PMI ( purchasing managers index ) of China's manufacturing is better than expected , " Kash said Kamal , a research analyst at Sucden Financial brokerage firm based in London .

Official data on Sunday ( 1/12 ) showed Chinese manufacturing growth in November maintain a strong pace from the previous month to be at its highest in 19 months .

While the purchasing managers' index for the manufacturing sector in Europe and the United States also rose , supporting the market outlook a bit more " bullish " ( passionate ) .

Ahead of the meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC ) on Wednesday ( 4/12 ) , Saudi Arabia , the world's leading oil exporter , says satisfied with the current crude oil price and the level of global supply and demand .

" The market is likely to be in the best position , " Saudi Oil Minister Ali al - Naimi told reporters in Vienna .

" The huge demand , improved economic growth , " he said .

" Supply and demand are in balance , inventories are in a good position , " he added . " We are now at the right price . "

OPEC is likely to persist in the production ceiling of 30 million barrels per day .

While the change in the situation of two OPEC members continue to shape the market .

Libyan production has been cut amid growing unrest . Meanwhile , Iran could increase its exports sharply next year when it reaches full agreement with Western powers about its nuclear program restrictions that would allow the lifting of sanctions .