WTI hit lowest since Dec. 2021, Brent at lowest since Jan. 2022
Clashes in Shanghai as COVID protests flare across China
EU delays talks on Russian oil price cap
Investors focus on next OPEC meeting on Dec. 4

TOKYO, Nov 28 Reuters Oil futures fell more than 2 a barrel on Monday, with WTI hitting an 11month low, as protests in top importer China over strict COVID19 curbs fuelled demand concerns.

Brent crude dropped 2.16, or 2.6, to trade at 81.47 a barrel at 0230 GMT, after diving to 81.16 earlier in the session its lowest since Jan. 11.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate WTI crude slid 2.08, or 2.7, to 74.20 a barrel. It fell as far as 73.82 earlier its lowest since Dec. 27, 2021.

Both benchmarks, which hit 10month lows last week, have posted three consecutive weekly declines. Brent ended the latest week down 4.6, while WTI fell 4.7.

On top of growing concerns about weaker fuel demand in China due to a surge in COVID19 cases, political uncertainty, caused by rare protests over the government39;s stringent COVID restrictions in Shanghai, prompted selling, said Hiroyuki Kikukawa, general manager of research at Nissan Securities.

WTI39;s trading range is expected to fall to 7075, he said, adding the market could stay volatile depending on the outcome of the OPEC meeting and the price cap on Russian oil.

China, the world39;s top oil importer, has stuck with President Xi Jinping39;s zeroCOVID policy even as much of the world has lifted most restrictions.

Hundreds of…