Oil prices were mostly flat today as severe cold disrupted some US oil production offsetting weaker than expected economic growth numbers out of China. Weakening prices today, China’s economy in the fourth quarter expanded by 5.2% year on year, missing analysts’ expectations and calling into question forecasts that Chinese demand will fuel 2024 global oil growth. “The oil industry was backing the notion that, despite a bumpy recovery, oil demand from China has been resilient and will likely reach record levels in 2024.” In North Dakota, a top oil-producing U.S. state, below-zero degrees Fahrenheit temperatures caused oil output there to fall by 650,000 to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd), more than half its typical output, the state said. WTI traded up $.16 to close at $72.56. Brent traded down $.41 to close at $77.88.