OIL prices fell below $73 a barrel yesterday in thin trade, but nagging fears about supply disruption and expectations of strong US demand for petrol prevented a deeper sell-off.

CRUDE oil topped $57 a barrel in New York for the first time since April over concern refiners may struggle to meet a fourth-quarter peak in demand for winter fuels.

Crude oil futures were little changed for a third day in London as refiners drain inventories to meet demand for gasoline and build up inventories of heating fuels in preparation for winter.