start oil exports through its northern pipeline to Turkey have been idle for two weeks due to sabotage. However, oil is down $14 from its all-time peak of $55.67 a barrel touched just over two months ago as dealers factored the potential impact of higher fuel costs on global economic growth. Fearing a counter-season winter build in inventories, OPEC producers agreed last month to trim 1 million barrels per day of excess supply from Jan. 1. Over the past month prices have settled into a range of $40 to $45, but traders warn that a dip back into the $30s -- last seen in July -- could precipitate a broader sell-off as speculative players leap back in to follow the bearish trend.
