Crude oil prices rallied above 52 dollars on Wednesday amid cold temperatures in the Northeast United States.

New York's main oil futures contract, light sweet crude for delivery in February, rose 1.04 dollars to 52.25 dollars per barrel.

In London, the price of Brent North Sea crude for delivery in March rose 1.28 dollars to 52.90 dollars per barrel.

On Wednesday, the harsh cold spread across the Northeast United States, the world's largest consumer of heating fuel. The cold weather could weaken the distillate stockpiles and fuel the boost prices.

Crude oil prices dived to 19-month lows on Tuesday after Saudi Arabia said further production cut was unnecessary. Oil prices fell 17 percent in 2007 amid unusual mild weather.

Source: Xinhua