the Gazprom Group signed a five-year contract to purchase natural gas from Turkmengas (for the period through June 30, 2024).

TC Energy Corporation (TSX:TRP) (NYSE:TRP) (TC Energy) announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell its U.S. midstream assets held by its subsidiary, Columbia Midstream Group, to UGI Energy Services, LLC, a subsidiary of UGI Corporation (NYSE: UGI), for approximately US$1.275 billion (Cdn$1.7 billion). The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2019 subject to closing adjustments and customary regulatory approvals.

U.S. Rig Count is down 4 rigs from last week to 963, with oil rigs down 5 to 788, gas rigs up 1 to 174, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 1. Canada Rig Count is down 4 rigs from last week to 120, with oil rigs down 4 to 80 and gas rigs unchanged at 40.

Fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and coal—have accounted for at least 80% of energy consumption in the United States for well over a century.

"Today our forecast for gas pipeline deliveries in 2019 to Europe and Turkey is between 198.6 and 201.1 Bcm," Miller said in a speech at the company's annual general meeting. Gazprom exported 201.9 Bcm to Europe in 2018, accounting for around 36.8% of the market.

In April 2019, for the 24th consecutive month, dry natural gas production increased year to year for the month. The preliminary level for dry natural gas production in April 2019 was 2,708 billion cubic feet (Bcf), or 90.3 Bcf/d. This level was 9.8 Bcf/d (12.2%) higher than the April 2018 level of 80.4 Bcf/d.

The re-opening of trade negotiations between the US and China also opens the door for the easing of trade tensions and potential removal of tariffs on a range of commodities including LNG, LPG, soybeans, metals and petrochemicals.

U.S. Rig Count is unchanged from from last week at 967, with oil rigs up 4 to 793, gas rigs down 4 to 173, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 1. Canada Rig Count is up 5 rigs from last week to 124, with oil rigs up 4 to 84 and gas rigs up 1 to 40.

Over January-May, China imported 2.7 million mt of LNG from Malaysia, up 32% year on year, the customs data showed.

Dr. Sentyurin also highlighted that - according to the Forum’s projections - by 2040, the demand for natural gas is expected to increase at an annual average pace of 1.7%, corresponding to overall growth of 46%. Most of this demand growth will come from the Asia-Pacific region, with Europe continuing to be an attractive market for many gas producers.