The project was approved by a federal government order in 2018. Tvel said the synchrotron and related infrastructure are scheduled to be commissioned in 2024. Total investment in the project will be more than $580m.

Brent fell 8 cents, or 0.3%, to $31.66 a barrel, WTI was down 36 cents, or 1.6%, at $22.05

"США, Канада, Норвегия и другие страны-производители нефти исходя из тех заявлений, которые сделали министры энергетики других стран, их общее сокращение с мая по июнь может составить от 15 до 20 млн баррелей в сутки", - сообщил глава Минэнерго России.

This is Saudi Arabia's second consecutive monthly price cut after it slashed crude prices by $5-$8/b for April loading crude last month.

Crude oil production from the major US onshore regions is forecast to decrease 183,000 b/d month-over-month in April from 8,709 to 8,526 thousand barrels/day, gas production to decrease 869 million cubic feet/day from 84,027 to 83,158 million cubic feet/day .

The Philippine index led the gains, rising 3% and hit its highest close in a month. Big caps Ayala Corp and Bank of the Philippine Islands rose 8.3% and 5.2%, respectively.

The Australian dollar rose 0.7% to $0.6432, the New Zealand dollar firmed 0.6% to $0.6131 and the pound added 0.4% to $1.2562 - their strongest since mid-March.

U.S. gold futures GCcv1 settled 0.5% higher at $1,761.40 an ounce and hit their highest since February 2013 at $1,769.50.

France's finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said the economy was now expected to contract 8% this year instead of the 6% flagged as recently as Thursday.

Baker Hughes has approved a plan that will result in restructuring, impairment, and other charges of approximately $1.8 billion