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weak energy demand in the United States, the world's biggest oil-
consuming nation, analysts said. Brent North Sea crude for delivery in
November dropped 55 cents at 64.56 dollars a barrel. New York's
main contract, light sweet crude for November delivery, shed 58
cents to 65.44 dollars a barrel. Concerns over weak US energy demand
are resurfacing after data released Friday showed orders for
American durable goods fell 2.4 percent in August against market
expectations for a rise of 0.4 percent. Durable goods are those
likely to last three years or more, such as cars and appliances, and
represent a key segment of the manufacturing sector. "International
economic news was generally on the disappointing side of market
expectations, leaving metal and oil markets lacking impetus,"
analysts from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia said in a note to
clients. "The US economic data failed to allay concerns that US oil
demand remains tepid," they added. Oil prices had closed higher on
Friday on rekindled tensions over Iran's nuclear programme, traders
said. World leaders last week demanded that nuclear inspectors from
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) be granted access to a
previously secret plant in crude producer Iran and threatened to
impose tough new sanctions on Tehran. Looking ahead, the oil market
was expected to closely digest US non-farm payroll figures and the
American unemployment rate for September due for release on Friday.
The monthly payrolls report is seen as one of the best indicators of
economic momentum in the world's biggest economy.
