Oil prices rose above $47 a barrel today in Asia as a ground offensive by Israeli troops against Hamas in Gaza heightened tensions in the oil-rich Middle East, The Associated Press reported. Light, sweet crude for February delivery rose $1.36 to $47.70 a barrel, after earlier jumping to as high as $48.68, in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange by midday in Singapore. The contract rose Friday $1.74 to settle at $46.34.