intermediate crude

But oil prices have tumbled since the summer, with the price of the benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude dropping to less than$ 60 in December from more than$ 100 a barrel in July.

但油价自今年夏天以来不断下跌，今年12月，作为基准的美国西德克萨斯中质原油（West Texas Intermediate）的价格从7月的每桶100美元（约合620元人民币）跌至不足60美元。

West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures last year traded as much as$ 10 a barrel less than Brent, its rival from the North Sea.

去年，西德克萨斯中质原油期货价格比北海布伦特原油（brent）期货价格低了10美元。