World oil prices slid under $80 as official data showed crude imports slowing in China, the world's second biggest energy consumer after the US, traders said.
Brent North Sea crude for delivery in September sank $1.46 to $79.53 a barrel. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in September, dropped $1.27 to $80.21.
China's crude oil imports fell sharply to 19 million metric tonnes, or 4.5 million barrels a day in July, much lower than the record 22.27 million tonnes seen in June and 3.1% down from July 2009.
