West Texas Intermediate futures for December delivery declined to $45.67 (-0.59%), while Brent crude retreated to $48.83 (-0.45%) amid profit taking after Wednesday's gains, which were generated by a smaller-than-expected buildup in U.S. crude inventories.

Federal Reserve's hints to a rate hike in December keep oil under pressure because higher rates would boost the dollar thus making dollar-denominated crude more expensive for importers using other currencies.

The Energy Information Administration reported on Wednesday that U.S. crude stockpile rose by 3.4 million barrels in the week to October 23, while the American Petroleum Institute had expected a 4.1 million-barrel growth. At the same time refinery utilization rate advanced to 87.6% from 86.4%.