Oil prices have slumped more than 10 percent in less than two weeks as traders focus on signs a slowing U.S. economy could cut into world energy demand growth. After climbing to a record over $99 a barrel Nov. 19, the price of crude has dropped to below $88.

The decline in crude prices may eventually filter down to consumers in the form of cheaper gasoline and heating oil. But it could also lead oil cartel OPEC to decide against a widely-requested increase to crude output when it meets in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 5.