Crude markets fell on Tuesday due to doubts about oil demand following comments by the Saudi oil minister that he was happy with current price levels, analysts said.
New York's main contract, light sweet crude for November delivery, was down 78 cents at 81.43 dollars a barrel in the afternoon.
Brent North Sea crude for November fell 71 cents to 83.01 dollars a barrel.
Prices slumped after the oil minister of key OPEC member Saudi Arabia, Ali al-Nuaimi, said Monday he was "happy" with current crude price levels.