Oil prices slipped back this evening after the US dollar strengthened against the euro on positive US economic data.
For the moment, the dip in prices overcame earlier market jitters over the escalating violence in Egypt, which had sent prices higher.
Brent crude fell 25 cents to $102.09 a barrel, after earlier in the day hitting $103.27, the highest price since September 2008. US crude dipped 38 cents to $90.48.
The US services sector, a major slice of the nation's economy, grew in January at its fastest pace since August 2005, according to an industry report from the Institute of Supply Management.
Earlier, US government data showed that new claims for unemployment benefits tumbled last week.
