Oil prices fell more $2 a barrel on Thursday as fears of a wider Middle East conflict eased at the same time that US demand showed signs of weakening. Brent crude futures were down $2.28, or 2.53 per cent, at $87.85 a barrel by 12:40pm CDT (1740 GMT), having settled nearly 2pc higher on Wednesday. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures slid by $2.10, or 2.41pc, to $83.29 a barrel. Fears of