U.S. crude prices fell below $80 per barrel for the first time since August 10, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the U.S. benchmark crude, futures trading around $79.89 to $80.12, down roughly 3% on the day. WTI remained near recent lows after trading above $85 earlier in the week, while Brent crude declined to around $86.32. Markets appear to be assigning a lower risk premium than during recent highs, potentially reducing expectations that crude will reach new all-time highs. In the prediction market, the odds of a new high by September 30 fell to 1.8% YES from 2% a day earlier, while the odds for December 31 remained at 11.5% YES. Traders are likely to watch comments from OPEC (oil producers' group) figure Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo and IEA (International Energy Agency) figure Fatih Birol, along with Middle East developments, global oil demand, OPEC production changes and geopolitical tensions.