As the dollar index gained 0.36 percent, Crude oil prices for May delivery fell to nearly $80 per barrel in New York.

Wednesday's inventory report also weighed down prices. The U. S. Energy Information Administration said crude oil supplies rose by 7.3 million barrels in the week ending March 19.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light, sweet crude oil prices dropped 33 cents from a recent settlement to $80.28 per barrel.

Losing 0.0062 cents, May delivery heating oil futures closed the day at $2.0645 per gallon. Reformulated gasoline blend stock for May shed 0.008 cents to $2.2145 per gallon. Henry Hub natural gas prices for May lost 0.128 cents to $4.026 per million British thermal units.

According to AAA reports, at the retail level, the average national price for unleaded regular gasoline was $2.813 per gallon Thursday, down from Wednesday's $2.816. (With Inputs from Agencies)