Crude futures settle lower

NEW YORK, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices declined on Thursday.

The West Texas Intermediate for January delivery decreased 4 cents, or 0.06 percent, to settle at 69.34 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for February delivery dropped 25 cents, or 0.34 percent, to settle at 74.05 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.