Crude Began to Slide after Strong Gain

Crude oil prices slid a bit in Asian trade today after strong gains overnight on news that bad weather had interrupted oil shipments at Alaska's key export terminal, dealers said.

In early Asian trading, New York's main contract, light sweet crude for January delivery, was down seven cents at $US60.10 a barrel after jumping $US1.37 to $US60.17 in late US trade overnight.

London's Brent North Sea crude for January was five cents lower at $US60.34.