West Texas Intermediate traded near the highest price since October after industry data showed crude inventories declined for a second week in the U.S., the world’s biggest oil consumer. Futures fluctuated in New York after rising 1.2 percent yesterday. Crude stockpiles shrank by 7.5 million barrels last week, a report from the American Petroleum Institute showed yesterday. Government data today is forecast to show supplies dropped by 3 million, according to a Bloomberg News survey. In Libya, three eastern ports will reopen Dec. 15, said the head of the country’s energy-protection force. “The run of inventory increases had the market rattled, but it now appears to be reversing and the focus is coming back to global growth numbers,” said Michael McCarthy, a chief strategist at CMC Markets in Sydney. “The outlook is for a test of higher levels for crude.” WTI for January delivery was at $98.48 a barrel […]