Oil futures prices settled slightly lower on Friday after a survey showed deteriorating U.S. consumer sentiment, but prices rose 4% week over week as investors weighed forecasts for solid demand for crude oil and fuel in 2024. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) U.S. crude futures were down 17 cents closing at $78.54 per barrel. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) upgraded its oil demand growth estimate for 2024 slightly, and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) stuck to a forecast for relatively strong growth of 2.2 million barrels a day (bpd). Also this week, the U.S. Federal Reserve kept interest rates on hold, and investors believe rate cuts are unlikely before December.