NEW DELHI Oil prices slipped in Asian trading on Monday after a survey on Friday showed weaker U.S. consumer demand and as May crude production rose in China, the world39;s biggest crude importer.

Global benchmark Brent crude futures for August delivery were down 40 cents, or 0.5, at 82.22 per barrel at 0631 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for July delivery fell 36 cents to 78.09 a barrel.

The moreactive August delivery WTI contract slipped 0.5 to 77.7 per barrel.

That followed prices slipping on Friday after a survey showed U.S. consumer sentiment fell to a sevenmonth low in June, with households worried about their personal finances and inflation.

However, both benchmark contracts still gained nearly 4 last week, the highest weekly rise in percentage terms since April, on signs of stronger fuel demand.

Last week39;s robust rally was fuelled by forecasts of strong 2024 demand from OPEC and the IEA. However, given OPEC39;s vested interest in crude oil, there is some scepticism around OPEC39;s forecasts, said Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG in Singapore.

Friday39;s soft U.S. consumer confidence numbers suggest that the resilience of the American consumer and the U.S. economy will be tested as households run down their savings to combat higher interest rates and costofliving pressures, he added.

Meanwhile, China39;s May domestic crude oil production rose 0.6 on year to 18.15 million tons, according to data released by the National Bureau of…