Oil prices were higher today, but still down for the weak as a stronger dollar and slowing global economy was the theme for this week. USD strength hit a five week high. “Although the oil complex has been able to shrug off a strong dollar on any given session, extended strong dollar trends will pose a major headwind against sustainable oil price gains,” said Jim Ritterbusch, of Ritterbusch and Associates. In a sign of easing oil supply tightness, the price gap between prompt and second-month Brent futures has narrowed by about $5 a barrel since the end of July to under $1. The spread for WTI has shrunk to a 39-cent premium from a nearly $2 premium in late July. WTI traded up $.27 or .29% to close at $90.77. Brent traded up $2.94 or 3.13% to close at 96.72