0003 crude prices stay above us$61 a barrel singapore , dec 14, spa -- crude oil prices stayed above us$61 a barrel wednesday ahead of the market- moving u.s. petroleum inventories report, as new forecasts raised global demand levels for the new year and warned of a looming price spike. on the new york mercantile exchange, light, sweet crude for january rose 10 cents to us$61.47 a barrel midmorning in singapore ? nearly 50 percent higher than a year ago ? before easing to us$61.30. the contract had risen 7 cents to us$61.37 a barrel overnight in new york. january brent crude on london)s ice futures exchange fell 22 cents to us$59.30 a barrel in singapore afternoon trade. the u.s. department of energy will release its weekly petroleum stocks report later wednesday, and a dip in crude or its related stocks usually means an increase in demand, the associated press reported. 10:48 local time 07:48 gmt nnnn www.spa.gov.sa/311423