NEW YORK, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices fell on Wednesday.

       The West Texas Intermediate for February delivery decreased by 1.46 U.S. dollars, or 1.93 percent, to settle at 74.11 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for February delivery lost 1.42 dollars, or 1.75 percent, to settle at 79.65 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.