WTI rises as inventories fall in U.S.

West Texas Intermediate crude increased on Wednesday rising towards the strongest level in a seven-week period after a report showed that distillate stockpiles in the U.S., the world's largest oil consumer, declined as cold weather may hit Georgia. WTI for settlement in March jumped 75 cents to $100.69 per barrel on the NYMEX, the most since December 27.