Oil slips under $91; US inventory data in focus

US jobless claims at lowest in more than two years

LONDON: Oil prices slipped under $91 in thin trading volumes on Thursday ahead of the release of the latest weekly US oil inventory data, expected to show a drawdown in crude stocks for the fourth consecutive week. US crude for February delivery fell 57 cents to $90.55 a barrel by 1415 GMT. ICE Brent crude shed 41 cents to $93.73

Oil prices brushed off a positive reading of new US jobless claims, which fell to their lowest levels in two years, suggesting the labour market could be regaining strength. Prices have traded range-bound near $91 a barrel after touching 26-month highs of $91.88 a barrel at the start of the week, but weakened during the penultimate trading session of 2010.

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