Crude futures settle lower

NEW YORK, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices dipped on Monday.

The West Texas Intermediate for February delivery lost 22 cents, or 0.32 percent, to settle at 69.24 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for February delivery decreased 31 cents, or 0.43 percent, to settle at 72.63 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.