Oil prices fell as much as $2 a barrel Friday as doubts grew about whether political leaders in Washington could reach a deal on the budget before a package of tax hikes and spending cuts automatically kicks in with the new year, AP reported. In afternoon trading benchmark crude for February delivery fell $1.62 to $88.51 per barrel in New York. It was as low as $87.96 at one point. Brent crude, used to price international varieties of oil, fell $1.22 to $108.98 per barrel in London. On Friday morning, both men signaled talks are still open. In other energy futures trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange: - Natural gas gained 2 cents to $3.48 per 1,000 cubic feet. - Heating oil fell 3 cents to $3.02 a gallon. - Wholesale gasoline fell 3 cents to $2.72 a gallon. -- SPA
