The London market opened on the back foot on the final day of the year, as oil prices loitered close to 11-year lows.
The FTSE 100 Index was 17.8 points down at 6256.8, as low Brent Crude prices saw major oil stocks fall.
Brent Crude fell 77 cents to 36.74 US dollars, as major suppliers such as Saudi Arabia and Russia have continued pumping crude in a bid to defend their global market shares. The oil price has fallen by more than a third this year.
Shell was down 8p to 1555p, and BP slipped 0.4p to 354.8p.
Spreadex financial analyst Connor Campbell said: “Brent Crude still lingering below 37 US dollars per barrel the FTSE is crawling towards the finishing line looking bruised and battered.”