REUTERS - Qatar Petroleum (QP) is looking to invest at least $20 billion in the United States over the coming few years, its chief executive told Reuters, after the Gulf Arab state unexpectedly quit OPEC this month.

PLATTS - "The UAE is investing because we feel there is a requirement for this production, but we are not going to put that production into the market unless we feel there is a need for it," Mazrouei said after last week's OPEC meeting in Vienna.

EBRD - the Bank will no longer finance thermal coal mining or coal-fired electricity generation. The Bank will also stop funding any upstream oil exploration, and will not finance upstream oil development projects except in rare and exceptional circumstances, where such investments reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

EXXONMOBIL - -ExxonMobil said that it has made a final investment decision to develop the West Barracouta gas field in Bass Strait to bring new gas supplies to the Australian domestic market. The project, located in the VIC/L1 block offshore Victoria, is part of the company’s continuing investment in the Gippsland Basin.

TOTAL - Total has signed an agreement to divest a 4% interest in the Ichthys liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Australia to operating partner INPEX for an overall consideration of 1.6 billion USD. The transaction, which is subject to Australian regulatory approvals, reduces Total’s interest in the asset to 26%.

AN - US Energy Secretary Rick Perry said on Tuesday he had discussed his country’s sanctions against Iran with Iraqi energy officials and signalled an intention to step up US private sector investment in Iraq.

PLATTS - Russia will invest $5 billion to raise Venezuela's oil production by 1 million b/d under a new economic agreement, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Thursday.

CONOCOPHILLIPS - ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) announced its 2019 capital expenditure budget and operating plan. The operating plan reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to free cash flow generation, differentiated payout to shareholders and superior financial returns through business cycles.

WNN - "Some countries choose to pursue nuclear power with a view that it can play an important role in the global sustainable energy mix,” the Outcome Document states, noting that nuclear power is the second largest source of low-carbon electricity, after hydropower. It adds that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's 1.5-degree pathway report estimates that nuclear power generation will need to grow 2.5 times by 2050 if objectives are to be met.

WBG - “There are literally trillions of dollars of opportunities for the private sector to invest in projects that will help save the planet,” said IFC CEO Philippe Le Houérou. “Our job is to go out and proactively find those opportunities, use our de-risking tools, and crowd in private sector investment. We will do much more in helping finance renewable energy, green buildings, climate-smart agribusiness, urban transportation, water, and urban waste management.”

REUTERS - Venezuela has signed deals securing investment from Russia in the South American country’s oil and gold sectors, President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday at the end of a three-day trip to Moscow.

REUTERS - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a new NZ$100 million ($69.28 million) green investment fund on Wednesday, aimed at boosting private-sector participation in a campaign to achieve zero net carbon emissions by 2050.

PLATTS - Argentina's state-run energy company YPF and Malaysia's Petronas agreed Tuesday to invest $2.3 billion in a shale oil project in Vaca Muerta, with a target of reaching 60,000 b/d of oil equivalent by 2022.

SHELL - Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell), through its affiliate Shell Overseas Holdings Limited, has completed the sale of its shares in Shell E&P Ireland Limited (SEPIL), which holds a 45% interest in the Corrib gas venture, for up to $1.30 billion (€1.14 billion), to Nephin Energy Holdings Limited (NEHL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB). Completion follows receipt of all necessary partner and regulatory consents and the transaction’s effective date is 1 January 2017.

WNN - Energy infrastructure is a critical component of South Africa's National Development Plan (NDP), which was published in 2011 and identifies the need for investment in a strong network of economic infrastructure designed to support the country’s medium- and long-term economic and social objectives. The IRP plays a crucial role in contributing to the objectives of the NDP, the Committee said in its report.