Oil was relatively flat in Asian trade on Tuesday after overnight gains on upbeat US business data that boosted economic recovery hopes, as fears over Dubai's debt problems receded, analysts said.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for January delivery, eased two cents to USD 77.26 a barrel after jumping USD 1.23 from Friday's close overnight. Brent North Sea crude for January delivery was three cents higher at USD 78.50.