Marketmen said the fall in crude oil futures prices was mostly in line with a weakening trend in Asia owing to a stronger dollar after the head of the US Federal Reserve hinted at an interest rates rise early next year, but losses were tempered by lingering concerns about the Crimea crisis.
Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate crude oil for delivery in May was down by 33 cents, to $98.57 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.