The price of Brent crude briefly fell below the symbolic level of $80 per barrel on Tuesday for the first time since January, Trend reports citing Ahram.
Around 1700 GMT, the price of Brent crude for delivery in February, the main international oil contract, was down 3.1 percent at $80.08.
The main US contract, WTI for January delivery, slumped 2.9 percent to $74.72.