Oil futures finished higher in light trading Thursday amid expectations of a decline in US crude oil inventories.  ICE February Brent settled up 72 cents at $67.92/b and NYMEX February WTI was up 57 cents at $61.68/b at market close. The front-month Brent and WTI contracts last settled higher on September 16. Markets were supported by bullish forecasts from the American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday estimating a 7.9 million-barrel draw in US crude stocks during the week ended December 20. Analysts surveyed Monday by S&P Global Platts forecast a 3 million-barrel decline in inventories last week. The US Energy Information Administration weekly inventory report is delayed to Friday due to the Christmas holiday. […]