Oil prices extend gains

Oil prices rose further on Thursday, extending the previous day's gains on a drop in US crude inventories that offset disappointing growth data in the world's biggest economy.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in June climbed 42 cents to $59 a barrel.

Brent North Sea crude for June delivery gained 0.34 cents to stand at $66.88 a barrel in London midday deals.

Inventories at the key US oil terminal hub in Cushing, Oklahoma, reported its first decline since late November, US data showed on Wednesday.