Oil prices rose on Wednesday, extending the previous session’s gains, driven by optimism that the lifting of China’s strict Covid-19 curbs will lead to a recovery in fuel demand in the world’s top oil importer. Brent crude futures firmed 63 cents, or 0.73 per cent, to $86.55 a barrel by 0401 GMT, following a 1.7pc rally in the previous session. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures