LONDON, Jan 9: Oil prices fell on Wednesday after the latest snapshot of the US market betrayed a sharp fall in demand for crude-based products.

The price of a barrel of Brent North Sea crude for February delivery slid 57 cents in early deals to $21.45. In New York overnight, the February-dated light sweet crude contract shed 23 cents on Monday to $21.25 a barrel.

Oil prices have run up to three-month high points in recent sessions as crude producers rein in supply while hopes for demand have improved amid cold winter weather, particularly in Europe.—AFP