Crude oil prices were down to begin Friday as China, the world's second largest oil consumer, posted its lowest quarterly economic growth in three decades.
International benchmark Brent crude was trading at $59.64 per barrel at 0725 GMT for a 0.42% loss after closing Thursday at $59.89 a barrel.
American benchmark West Texas Intermediate was at $53.84 a barrel at the same time for a 0.21% decline after ending the previous session at $53.95 per barrel.
China saw its economy expand by only 6% during the third quarter of this year, marking the lowest pace since 1992, according to figures released earlier Friday by National Bureau of Statistics.
The trade war with U.S. has begun taking a toll on China, which saw its exports decline by 3.2% in September, from the same period a year ago.
The slowdown in the world's second largest economy indicate that its crude demand could remain low this year, pushing oil prices lower.
On the supply side, rising crude oil inventories in U.S., which marked the fifth consecutive week of increase, put pressure on oil prices.
Crude oil stocks in U.S. jumped by 9.3 million barrels last week, much higher than the market expectation of 2.8 million barrels.
By Ovunc Kutlu
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr