Crude oil drips from a valve at an oil well operated by Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA, in the oil rich Orinoco belt, near Morichal at the state of Monagas April 16, 2015. Oil futures pushed closer to $50 a barrel on Wednesday, with U.S. crude hitting its highest in over seven months after industry data suggested a larger-than-expected drawdown in U.S. crude inventories last week. Oil markets were also supported by an overnight surge in U.S. equities and strong U.S. home sales that could point to the Federal Reserve raising interest rates as early as June. U.S. crude futures had climbed 62 cents to $49.24 a barrel by 0249 GMT, after ending the previous session up 54 cents. The benchmark earlier on Wednesday touched its highest since mid-October at $49.35. Brent futures rose 55 cents to $49.16 a barrel, having closed up 26 cents to snap a four-day […]