Crude oil futures were lower during mid-morning trade in Asia Wednesday after a bearish report on US crude inventories and as market participants remained on the sidelines ahead of the December 15 deadline for new US trade tariffs on China. At 10:30 am Singapore time (0230 GMT), ICE February Brent crude futures were down 44 cents/b (0.68%) from Tuesday’s settle at $63.90/b, while the front-month NYMEX January light sweet crude contract was 33 cents/b (0.56%) lower to $58.91/b. Analyst quoting data released late Tuesday by the American Petroleum Institute said US crude stocks rose by 1.41 million barrels in the week ended December 6. Analysts surveyed Monday by S&P Global Plattts had been expecting a 2.8 million-barrel draw in the week. “Oil fell from its highest close in almost three months after the API inventory reported a build bearish to consciences while uncertainly over the December tariff […]