Brent crude futures for February delivery fell 42 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $82.84 a barrel, while US crude fell 50 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $78.46 a barrel.
Oil markets were also affected by expectations of raising US interest rates once more in the United States, as the Federal Reserve tries to limit the rise in prices in the labor market, which suffers from scarcity.
US crude oil inventories also fell less than expected, by regarding 1.3 million barrels, in the week ending December 23.
And according to market sources, citing figures from the American Petroleum Institute, down from analysts’ estimates, a drawdown of 1.5 million.
The US government will release its weekly figures on Thursday, according to Archyde.com.
The markets got some support from Russian President Vladimir Putin by banning the export of crude oil and petroleum products from February 1st for a period of five months to countries that adhere to the Western price ceiling.
Germany also said the embargo had “no practical significance” given Berlin’s work since spring to replace Russian oil supplies and ensure supply security.
