NEW YORK, March 1 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices advanced on Friday.

       The West Texas Intermediate for April delivery increased 1.71 U.S. dollars, or 2.19 percent, to settle at 79.97 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for May delivery gained 1.64 dollars, or 2.0 percent, to settle at 83.55 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.