Crude prices decline slightly

Crude oil prices dropped during the day on Monday on hopes that Nigeria’s oil output might rise again after militants in that nation released three oil workers they had been holding hostage for the past five weeks.  May contract Brent crude on the International Petroleum Exchange was down 11 cents to $63.40 per barrel in late afternoon trade in London.  West Texas Intermediate crude on the New York Mercantile Exchange was down 26 cents at late morning to $64.00 per barrel.