Oil Drops on Signs of Slowdown; Gulf Workers Return After Storm

Crude oil fell to the lowest level in more than a week on speculation that slowing economic growth in the U.S. and China will crimp fuel consumption in the world’s two biggest crude users.

Futures fell as much as 3.4 percent after a Chinese services index published today fell to a record low in August. A report tomorrow may say U.S. service industries grew at the slowest pace in more than a year. Crude also declined as Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp. returned workers to some oil and natural gas platforms after Tropical Depression Lee moved out of the Gulf of Mexico.