Oil prices rose in early Asian trading today, with US crude joining Brent above 50 US dollars a barrel after data from the American Petroleum Institute showed a larger than expected draw on stocks. US crude futures' August contract, the new front month from today, had climbed 35 cents to 50.20 dollars a barrel. That marked the first time it had risen above 50 US dollars since June 10th. Brent crude futures were up 25 cents at 50.87 dollars a barrel, after settling down 3 cents at 50.62 dollars on yesterday.