Crude oil prices were relatively quiet last year. Brent oil, the global benchmark price, slipped 3%, closing the year at around $77 a barrel. Meanwhile, WTI, the U.S. oil price benchmark, ended the year right where it began at roughly $71 per barrel. Record production in the U.S. and weakness in China's economy kept the market balanced, keeping a lid on crude prices. Most analysts expect more of the same in 2025, with the consensus that crude prices will remain in the $70s this year. Because of that, oil st ...