Kuwaiti crude oil was selling for USD 101.62 per barrel (pb) on Tuesday on a gain of 12 cents, compared to the previous rate of USD 101.50 pb, said Kuwait Petroleum Corporation on Wednesday. Forward contracts saw crude prices close to their highest in a week amid expectations of a hike of around 1.5 million barrels in the crude stockpile of the US, the world\'s top consumer. Contracts for crude for May delivery at the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) came to an average of USD 93.49 pb. The highest price seen yesterday was USD 93.54 and the lowest was USD 93.36 pb.