Crude oil prices settled higher in futures market on Friday, finding some support as data showed that the number of active U.S. oil rigs rose only slightly for the week, raising the likelihood that drilling activity has stabilized.

Prices, however, still ended lower for the week after reports of a climb in July OPEC crude production, and as tensions tied to North Korea keep investors on edge.

Light sweet crude oil (WTI) futures rose 0.23 dollar or 0.47 percent to close at USD 48.82 a barrel at the New York-based commodity exchange NYMEX.

Brent crude oil futures rose 0.20 dollar or 0.39 percent to close at USD 52.10 a barrel at NYMEX. WTI-Brent spread was stable on Aug-2017.

Natural gas futures remained flat at 2.983 a gallon at the NYMEX. RBOB gasoline futures remained flat at 1.613 a gallon at the NYMEX.

In refined products, RBOB heating oil futures remained flat at 1.635 a gallon at the NYMEX.