Oil prices settle mixed as traders assess supply risks

NEW YORK, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices ended mixed on Tuesday as market participants assessed risks on the supply side.

The West Texas Intermediate for February delivery dropped 3 cents, or 0.04 percent, to settle at 79.53 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for February delivery gained 41 cents, or 0.5 percent, to settle at 84.33 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Ex