U.S. crude oil inventory growth exceeds expectations...WTI drops in 3 days

International oil prices fell for the first time in three trading days on the news that U.S. crude oil inventories increased much more than expected last week.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, West Texas Intermediate for December delivery closed at $70.77 a barrel, down $0.97 and 1.35% from the previous session.

Brent crude, the international comparison standard, also closed at $74.96 a barrel, down $1.08 and 1.42% from December delivery.

U.S. crude oil inventories rose by 5.47 million barrels in a week last week, far exceeding market expectations of 700,000 barrels.

Gasoline inventories, which were expected to fall by 1.6 million barrels in the market, were up 870,000 barrels from the previous week.