Oil prices were lower in Asian trade today as unexpected gains in US crude inventories placed a dampener on energy demand, analysts said.
New York's main contract, light sweet crude for March delivery, fell three cents to $89.56 per barrel.
Brent North Sea crude for delivery in March shed 15 cents to $96.43.
US Department of Energy (DoE) figures released late yesterday showing a surprise rise in crude stockpiles were impacting market sentiment, analysts said.
"There is a hangover from the inventory report, which showed a sizeable crude inventory build, especially in the Gulf Coast region," said John Kilduff of Again Capital.
DoE data showed crude stockpiles in the world's biggest oil consumer climbing 2.6 million barrels to 335.7 million barrels last week compared with analysts' forecasts of a 900,000-barrel drop.
