Oil prices rose above 82 US Dollars a barrel today in Asia after a report showed US crude inventories grew less than expected last week. Benchmark crude for April delivery was up 38 cents to 82.08 US Dollars a barrel at midday Singapore time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 1.90 USD to settle at 81.70 USD on Tuesday after the Federal Reserve said it plans to hold interest rates at record lows.