Crude oil prices close to $83 per barrel

The Fed on Tuesday said it would maintain "exceptionally low" interest rates of zero to 0.25 percent "for an extended period." The announcement pumped quick action in commodity markets with crude oil gaining more than $2.25 in late-afternoon trading.

Prices wavered overnight, then regained momentum Wednesday. April delivery of light, sweet crude added $1.20 to a recent settlement to reach $82.90 per barrel.

Heating oil prices picked up 0.0252 cents to reach $2.1395 per gallon on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Reformulated gasoline blendstock prices rose 0.03 cents to $2.305 per gallon. Henry Hub natural gas prices shed 0.052 cents to $4.295 per million British thermal units.

At the pump, the national average price of unleaded gasoline rose to $2.789 per gallon Wednesday, up from Tuesday's $2.787, AAA said.

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