Oil in new low; nears $60 a barrel

In this Feb. 26, 2011, file photo, an employee works at a refinery inside the Brega oil complex, in Brega, eastern Libya. OPEC produces one-third of the world’s oil and, in theory, at least, can affect global oil prices depending on how much oil it decides to sell. In reality, OPEC member countries have different, often conflicting priorities and don’t adhere to the cartel’s official targets for production. AP

NEW YORK – Oil prices sank to new five-year lows Wednesday with the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude nearly hitting $60 a barrel, 40 percent down from just six months ago.

Prices lost more than $2 a barrel helped by a fresh forecast from OPEC that said demand for the cartel’s crude would fall to 28.92 million barrels a day next year, the lowest level since 2003 and at least one million barrels less than it is producing now.

Yet the group showed no sign of cutting back production, while output growth continues in suppliers in North America and other sources.

In New York trade WTI for January delivery fell as far as $60.43 a barrel before finishing at $60.94, down $2.88 from Tuesday.

In London, Brent North Sea for January delivery lost $2.60 at $64.24.

“The market is under pressure once again as OPEC has revised downward its forecast for oil demand at the same time we saw comments from the Saudi Arabia oil minister that they have no plan to cut,” said Andy Lipow of Lipow Oil Associates.

In addition, he said, US crude stockpiles rose last week against expectations, keeping a strong overhang of stored oil over the market.

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