IEA’s Birol Sees High Gas Prices for `Weeks to Come’ Oil declined amid growing concerns over the health of China’s economy that have triggered massive losses in equities. U.S. crude futures slid 2.3% to settle at the lowest level in more than a week as worries mounted over a possible implosion in the Chinese property sector that could impact the Asian giant’s appetite for crude. A stronger U.S. dollar is also making commodities priced in the currency less attractive. “China is the global swing demand center,” said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital LLC. “If we lose China, we will lose much of the recent oil price gains.” Crude prices have fared well so far this month — U.S. oil futures are up about 4% in September — in part due to lingering supply disruptions from storms that have swept through the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Royal Dutch […]