US oil prices have slipped as traders anticipate a gain on stockpiles in the United States in the government's weekly crude inventory report, but prices were slightly higher in London.
New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for delivery in May, lost 41 US cents to $US99.19 a barrel.
Brent North Sea crude for May, the London benchmark, added 18 US cents to $US106.99 a barrel from Monday's closing level.
"The focus today has been on inventories following news overnight that China's crude inventories rose to a new high in February following two months of record imports," said Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen.
On Wednesday, the US Energy Information Administration is forecast to report a rise in American crude oil reserves last week.
The news would signal weaker demand in the US, the world's biggest crude consuming nation.
"Barring any flare up in geopolitical tensions (this) should leave the upside limited at this stage," added Hansen.
