International oil prices drop as traders await the outcome of European Union summit

Brent North Sea crude for delivery in August fell 80 cents to US$92.70 a barrel approaching midday in London.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for August, lost 31 cents to US$79.90 a barrel.

EU leaders debate “a big leap forward” to strengthen their union and save the euro at a two-day summit starting Thursday, but divisions may scuttle efforts to shore up the single currency.

European Union heads of state and government gather from 3:00 p.m. (1300 GMT) as the debt crisis, now in its third year, widens to Cyprus and Spain after contaminating Greece, Portugal and Ireland.

Crude prices meanwhile rose on Wednesday even as the US stockpiles report remained largely unchanged from the level a week earlier.

A continuing labour strike by oil workers in Norway, the world's eighth-biggest exporter, supported higher prices especially in London.

More than 700 oil workers began the strike on Sunday after pension negotiations broke down.

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