NEW YORK, Nov. 30 -- Oil prices rose noticeably on Wednesday after data showed a marked drop in U.S. crude stockpiles.

The West Texas Intermediate for January delivery added 2.35 U.S. dollars, or 3 percent, to settle at 80.55 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for January delivery added 2.4 dollars, or 2.9 percent, to settle at 85.43 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Wednesday reported that the nation's commercial crude oil inventories decreased by 12.6 million barrels during the week ending Nov. 25. Analysts polled by S&P Global Commodity Insights had estimated a fall of 4.4 million barrels in U.S. crude supplies.

According to the EIA, total motor gasoline stocks increased by 2.8 million barrels last week, while distillate fuel inventories increased by 3.5 million barrels.

Traders also looked to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, collectively known as OPEC+, as the group will meet on Dec. 4. In October, the oil alliance agreed to reduce its output target by 2 million barrels per day from November to shore up prices.

  - Xinhua