World oil prices slid this evening after news that the Japanese economy experienced a sharp slowdown in the second quarter of the year, increasing worries about weak energy demand. US crude dipped 17 cents to $75.22 a barrel, while Brent North Sea crude dropped 27 cents to $74.84.
Before the weekend, crude futures fell for the fourth consecutive day on Friday, amid stubborn concerns over the global economic recovery despite upbeat growth data in Europe.
Analysts say jitters over the US and Chinese economies, which are the world's top two energy-consuming nations, are putting a dampener on oil prices.
