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Crude oil futures fell in early Asian trade on Wednesday after US inventories showed a weekly buildup that far exceeded analyst expectations.

October U.S. crude was down 87 cents or 2.1% at $40.44 per barrel having at one time touched a low of 6 ½ years at $39.86 per barrel during the day. At the same time the global benchmark Brent fell 2.5% down to $45.46 per barrel.

The U.S. benchmark hit 6-1/2 year lows near $40 a barrel on Wednesday and Brent crude for October delivery LCOc1 was down 29 cents at $46.33, after settling 54 cents lower in the previous session. Oil is down 34 percent from its high of $61.43 this year, and 62 percent from its...