**Oil prices have fallen for the fifth day in a row, weighed down by a stronger US dollar and amid concerns over demand.**Prices dropped after the US Energy Information Administration lowered its forecast for global oil demand in 2010.
The dollar also gained against a basket of currencies, making oil - which is priced in dollars - more expensive for holders of other units.
US crude oil for January delivery fell $1.31 to settle at $72.62 a barrel.
In London, Brent crude fell $1.24, settling at $75.19.
The Energy Information Administration (EIA), the forecasting arm of the Energy Department, said it expects world oil consumption next year to increase by 1.1 million barrels per day.
Last month, it had forecast consumption to grow by 1.26 million barrels per day.
“People were looking for US oil demand to be higher, and so with the cut in the EIA forecast and a smaller increase overall, that’s a little disappointing,” said Mark Waggoner, president of Excel Futures, a commodities brokerage in California.