Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive Officer Ben van Beurden commented: “Shell’s strong results this quarter show that we are reshaping the company following the integration of BG. Cash generation has been resilient over four consecutive quarters, at an average oil price of just under $50 per barrel. This quarter, we generated robust earnings excluding identified items of $3.6 billion, while over the past 12 months cash flow from operations of $38 billion has covered our cash dividend and reduced gearing to 25%.

“Our solid financial results and strong cash flow are driven by good operational performance with high production efficiency and continued cost improvements. At oil prices around 50 dollars per barrel, we have generated 4 billion dollars in free cash flow, and reduced our net debt ratio by 8.1 percentage points since the start of the year. We expect to deliver around 5% production growth this year, and at the same time realise an additional one billion dollars in efficiencies,” says Eldar Sætre, President and CEO of Statoil ASA.

"In a price environment that remains volatile, Total again delivered an excellent set of quarterly results with adjusted net income of $2.5 billion, a 14% increase compared to a year ago, and operating cash flow before working capital changes of $5.3 billion, a 33% increase, while Brent only increased by 9%. In the first half of the year, the Group generated more than $3.1 billion of cash flow after investments, excluding acquisitions and divestments.

In view of realized and expected labor market conditions and inflation, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 1 to 1-1/4 percent. The stance of monetary policy remains accommodative, thereby supporting some further strengthening in labor market conditions and a sustained return to 2 percent inflation.

Brent crude futures LCOc1 rose 30 cents to $50.50 a barrel by 0959 GMT, after rallying more than 3 percent on Tuesday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures CLc1 climbed 40 cents to $48.29 a barrel.

Министерский комитет рассмотрел отчет Совместного технического комитета (СТК) и отметил, что рынок нефти уверенно делает шаги в сторону восстановления равновесия. По мнению экспертов, продолжается оздоровление мирового нефтяного рынка: за последние недели волатильность рынка снизилась, и поток инвестиций в нефтяную промышленность заметно увеличился.

В прямом эфире телеканала «Россия 24» Министр энергетики Российской Федерации Александр Новак подвел итоги 4-ого заседания Министерского комитета по мониторингу исполнения соглашения о сокращении добычи нефти стран ОПЕК и не-ОПЕК.

EIA - World chokepoints for maritime transit of oil are a critical part of global energy security. About 61% of the world's petroleum and other liquids production moved on maritime routes in 2015. The Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca are the world's most important strategic chokepoints by volume of oil transit.

The European Union could do more to convince countries to put EU reform recommendations into practice. For example, targeted support from the EU budget could be provided to incentivize reforms. The EU should also continue pushing for greater integration of the energy, transport, and digital markets.

In the second quarter and first half 2017, our total revenues increased by 1.1% and 6.3%, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of 2016.