Crude futures settle lower

NEW YORK, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices fell on Monday.

The West Texas Intermediate for January delivery decreased 57 cents, or 0.81 percent, to settle at 70.71 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for February delivery dropped 57 cents, or 0.78 percent, to settle at 73.91 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.