Oil prices rose on Wednesday after US government data indicated bullish demand for gasoline and distillates.

Investors will closely watch the country's job data for June due later in the day.

The local share price index futures rose 0.15 percent, or 9 points, to 6,203, a 42.1-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index close. The benchmark rose 0.7 percent on Wednesday.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index remained close to flat at 2210 GMT.