Oil prices rose amid forecasts that colder weather in the US may drive up demand for heating fuel, dealers said. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in January, gained 27 cents to 58.74 usd a barrel in electronic dealing. In London, the price of Brent North Sea crude for January settlement, added 47 cents to 56.62 usd per barrel. Crude futures raced higher on Thursday amid forecasts of cooler temperatures in the US northeast during the northern hemisphere winter, and stronger-than-expected economic data. The northeastern region accounts for about 80 pct of total US demand for heating oil. Meanwhile, analysts said that stronger-than-expected US data should help push oil prices higher as any increase in economic activity usually entails higher energy demand. Yesterday, the White House raised its forecast for US economic growth in 2005 to 3.5 pct, up from the 3.4 pct estimated by the Office of Management and Budget in July.