Crude prices fell in the Asian trade today as supply fears eased with oil cartel OPEC promising to boost output to make up for any production loss in revolt-hit Libya.

New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for April delivery, dipped 40 cents to $96.88 per barrel. Brent North Sea crude for delivery in April was down 47 cents to $110.89.

The Saudi Oil Minister, Mr Ali al-Naimi, said on Tuesday OPEC was prepared to meet any shortage of supplies due to unrest in West Asia and that its members had sufficient spare capacity to do so.