Oil prices rise on passage of U.S. debt limit bill, strong payroll data

NEW YORK, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Crude oil futures prices extended gains on Friday thanks to optimism over U.S. Congress' nod of debt ceiling deal and strong U.S. employment data in May.

The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for July delivery added 1.64 U.S. dollars, or 2.34 percent, to settle at 71.74 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for August delivery picked up 1.85 U.S. dollars,