Russia was China's biggest crude oil supplier for a fourth straight month in June, its longest streak ever in the top spot, data from the General Administration of Customs showed on Monday.

U.S. Rig Count is up 488 rigs from last year's count of 462, with oil rigs up 393, gas rigs up 98, and miscellaneous rigs down 3 to 0. Canadian Rig Count is up 104 rigs from last year's count of 102, with oil rigs up 70, gas rigs up 35, and miscellaneous rigs down 1 to 0.

International benchmark Brent crude futures were at $49.28 per barrel 0501 GMT, down 2 cents from their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $46.89 per barrel, down 3 cents.

Fitch Ratings anticipates most investment-grade and 'BB' category U.S. E&P companies will see minimal ratings changes in a steady $45 per barrel environment as the realization of further production efficiency gains and lower costs per barrel of oil equivalent (boe) should contribute to resilient margins and cash flow.

EIA forecasts that total U.S. crude oil production will average 9.3 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2017, up 0.5 million b/d from 2016. In 2018, crude oil production is expected to reach an average of 9.9 million b/d, which would surpass the previous record of 9.6 million b/d set in 1970.

The move fulfills a plan, first outlined in February, to create an Indian oil giant through consolidation and mergers, forming a company comparable with international rivals that could weather crude-price volatility.

Brent crude futures LCOc1, the international benchmark, were up 11 cents at $48.95 per barrel at 0925 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures CLc1 were at $46.50 per barrel, up 10 cents.

Crude oil production from the seven major US onshore regions is projected to rise 113,000 b/d month-over-month in August to 5.585 million b/d.

US Energy Sec. Rick Perry observed, “History teaches us that the world is not stagnant. Mexico had one of its biggest natural gas discoveries in history last week. I’ve just returned from talks with government leaders there, and I believe Mexico will become an even bigger oil and gas supplier as we go about building this new North American energy partnership.”

IMF: Canada’s economy expanded at an annual pace of nearly 4 percent in the first quarter of 2017—the fastest growth rate among the Group of 7 countries. With the economy’s adjustment to lower oil prices almost complete, growth is expected to accelerate to 2.5 percent this year, up from 1.5 percent in 2016.