New York's main contract, light sweet crude for February delivery, rose three cents to 91.15 dollars per barrel.

Brent North Sea crude for February was up 14 cents at 94.28 dollars.

"The prices are related to weather... as well as inventories," said Jason Feer, Asia-Pacific vice president and general manager for Argus Media energy market analysts in Singapore.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has not made "much imminent concerted effort to bring down prices", he added.

OPEC produces 40 percent of the world's crude oil, and its actions have a heavy influence on crude futures movements.

Crude prices have been boosted by the extreme cold weather and blizzards in the northern hemisphere, with households seen using more heating oil.