Oil prices continue to plunge as demand slackens amid the global economic downturn. Oil has dropped 19% drop this week, the biggest weekly decline in five years, reports Bloomberg. Prices have tumbled 70% since reaching a record $147.27 in July, and some predict prices may dip as low as $25 a barrel. OPEC will announce a cut in output at its next meeting Dec. 17, according to a spokesman.
"We think prices should start stabilizing after the OPEC meeting," said an analyst. "Still, a bottoming process is likely to extend well into 2009.'' (More crude oil stories.)