U.S. crude oil inventories increase last week: API
The American Petroleum Institute (API) on Tuesday reported a build of 3.45 million barrels in the U.S. crude oil inventories for the week ending Dec. 14.
In the previous week ending Dec. 7, API reported a draw of 10.18 million barrels.
U.S. oil prices dived on Tuesday. The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for February delivery fell 3.64 U.S. dollars to settle at 46.24 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for February delivery slumped 3.35 dollars to close at 56.26 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.