Oil Futures Settle Sharply Higher For The Day, Gain Over 7% In Week WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil prices rose sharply on Friday, extending recent gains, reacting to the decision of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to maintain output reduction agreement through end of April. Saudi Arabia said it will retain its 1 million barrel-a-day voluntary production cut in order to support crude prices. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, who cautioned about raising production, said cuts will be withdrawn over the next few months depending upon the market conditions. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for April ended higher by $2.26 or about 3.5% at $66.09 a barrel, the highest settlement since June 2019.