Crude prices Tuesday declined on demand worries in view of a series of soft data.

Crude prices started pullback on Monday after the U.S. nonfarm job report for March came in weaker than expectation, suggesting lower demand in the world's largest economy. To add to the pressure, China reported declines in oil imports in March. Besides, European debt concerns lingered and heavily weighed on the markets.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration cut its 2012 world oil demand growth forecast by 170,000 barrels per day in its monthly report and also raised the forecast for non-OPEC oil output.

Meanwhile, Iran tension eased after the second largest OPEC oil exporter agreed to resume talks with the six major powers over its nuclear program. The coming Saturday's talks were hoped to lead to a lift of sanctions and more secured oil supplies.

But the giant investment bank Goldman Sachs recommended U.S. benchmark WTI on Tuesday, saying it would narrow its gap to Brent crude in the second half of the year. That offered some supports to WTI.

Light, sweet crude for May delivery slipped 1.44 dollars, or 1. 41 percent to settle at 101.02 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. In London, Brent crude for May delivery also dropped sharply by 2.79 dollars, or 2.27 percent to close at 119. 88 dollars a barrel.