Brent oil prices ended six days of gains today, weighed down by further decline in demand from number two consumer China.
Crude oil imports to China, one of the largest engines of demand growth, dropped 12% in September from last year's record high and were below five million barrels per day for the fourth consecutive month, customs data showed.
Brent and U.S. crude oil futures briefly pared losses after US government inventory data showed surprisingly large falls in petrol and distillate stockpiles. This indicated stronger than expected demand.
Crude stocks rose more than expected, and traders said overall the report was not enough to overcome the impact of the Chinese data.
Brent crude fell $1.33 to $110.03 a barrel, after hitting a session low of $109.07. US crude dropped $2.03 to $83.54, after sliding to a session low of $83.17.
