Oil prices eased in Asian trading hours Monday as investors took profits following last week's rally triggered by concerns over rising tensions in the Middle East, analysts said. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in July, dropped 35 cents to $97.50 a barrel while Brent North Sea crude for August delivery shed 45 cents to $105.48 in the afternoon.

Oil prices fell in Asian trade Thursday after a surprise uptick in US crude stockpiles, but losses were tempered by growing concerns over turmoil in Turkey, analysts said. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in July, dropped 56 cents to $95.32 a barrel and Brent North Sea crude for July shed 38 cents to $103.11 in the afternoon. "Many were expecting a seasonal drawdown on stockpiles, with the US driving season well underway, but that has not been the case," David Lennox, resource analyst at Fat Prophets in Sydney, told AFP.

Oil prices fell in Asian trade Thursday after a surprise uptick in US crude stockpiles, but losses were tempered by growing concerns over turmoil in Turkey, analysts said. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in July, dropped 37 cents to $95.51 a barrel and Brent North Sea crude for July shed 21 cents to $103.28 in morning trade. "Many were expecting a seasonal drawdown on stockpiles, with the US driving season well underway, but that has not been the case," David Lennox, resource analyst at Fat Prophets in Sydney, told AFP.

LONDON - Global demand for oil, gas, coal and nuclear power grew at a slower pace last year due to weak economic growth, recession and increased efficiency, energy company BP said Wednesday. In an annual review of the world energy market, BP PLC said growth in energy consumption slowed to 1.8 per cent from 2.4 per cent in 2011. Demand continued to grow in China and India, which together accounted for almost 90 per cent of the global increase. But even growth in developing countries was slower than it has been over the last decade.