Oil prices fell sharply Tuesday on concerns that a slowing U.S. economy will decrease demand for oil.
The
price of crude oil in New York at one point fell more than $9 a barrel
in New York trading, the biggest one-day drop in dollar terms in 17
years. Oil later eased up from its low, but still closed down 4.5
percent at $138.69 a barrel.
Federal Reserve chairman Ben
Bernanke warned lawmakers Tuesday that the U.S. economy faces the dual
threat of slowing growth and inflation. Analysts say that points to
lower U.S. demand for oil going forward.
Also Tuesday, Brazil's
state-run oil company, Petrobras, said a strike by oil workers has had
little effect on production, easing concerns about oil supplies.
Workers
began a five-day strike Monday on rigs in Brazil's Campos Basin, but
Petrobras said it brought in contingency teams to minimize the impact
on production. The region accounts for 80 percent of Brazil's crude oil
output.
Meanwhile, the OPEC oil cartel cut its forecast for
global oil demand Tuesday due to faltering economic growth in
industrialized nations and an increase in conservation measures.
OPEC
predicted oil consumption will rise by just over one million barrels a
day this year, 70,000 barrels a day less than initially forecast. The
cartel says the drop in demand will be the biggest since 2002.
Oil prices hit a record high of $147.27 a barrel in New York on Friday.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
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