Brent ended up 0.64% at $56.42 and WTI ended up 1.25% at $53.37.

Oil prices, which were trading lower at the beginning of the US session, reversed the trend and ended higher in a market hoping for a new stimulus plan in the United States, which could boost the consumption of black gold.

The barrel of North Sea Brent for delivery in March took 36 cents or 0.64% in London from the previous day's close, at $56.42.

The US barrel of WTI for the month of February gained 66 cents or 1.25%, to $ 53.37.

This is WTI's highest closing price since the end of February 2020.

US President-elect Joe Biden is due to unveil measures on Thursday night that are supposed to help the United States emerge from the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The future Democratic tenant of the White House, whose term will officially begin on January 20, has promised "trillions of dollars" to revive the US economy.

A restart of activity should benefit oil demand, which has been severely reduced by lockdowns and limited travel during the coronavirus pandemic.

During the session on Thursday, investors took note of the monthly report of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

After a drop in global demand for crude of 9.8 million barrels per day last year due to the pandemic and the slowdown or even the virtual shutdown of certain activities, such as air transport, OPEC still expects a rebound of 5.9 million barrels per day in 2021.

"While the organization has left its demand forecasts for this year unchanged, it has highlighted the risks to the economic recovery in 2021," said Craig Erlam, an analyst at Oanda.

Investors also digested data on U.S. crude oil reserves, which fell by 3.2 million barrels last week, according to a report by the U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA) released Wednesday.

But the report also "betrayed the short-term weakness in gasoline demand," said Markets.com.S. Neil Wilson.

U.S. gasoline reserves rose by 4.4 million barrels, while analysts expected half the increase. Stocks of distilled products (oil and heating gas) also increased, barometers of industrial activity.