West Texas Intermediate crude surged the most in seven weeks after fewer Americans than forecast filed claims for unemployment benefits , bolstering optimism that U.S. economic growth will accelerate. Futures advanced 1.7 percent after the Labor Department said jobless claims fell by 21,000 to 323,000 last week, the fewest since Sept. 28. The median forecast of 47 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for 335,000. U.S. fuel demand averaged over four weeks reached a five-year high of 20.3 million barrels a day last week, Energy Information Administration data showed yesterday. “Any improvement in the jobs picture is good for demand,” said Michael Wittner , head of oil market research at Societe Generale SA in New York. “Yesterday’s report showed that product consumption is rocking and rolling. This will improve refinery margins, which will increase crude demand.” WTI for January delivery climbed $1.59 to $95.44 a barrel on the New York […]