Japan, South Korea, and China are the three largest importers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the world, accounting for more than half of global LNG imports in 2015. Combined LNG imports in these countries averaged 18.2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2015, a 5% (0.9 Bcf/d) decline from 2014 levels and the first annual decline in these countries' combined LNG imports since the global economic downturn in 2009.

Commenting today, Per Wullf, CEO and President of Seadrill Management Ltd., said: "During Q2 2016 we have improved on the record uptime we achieved in Q1, reaching 98% economic utilization, whilst continuing to see our costs reduce quarter over quarter. There continues to be a significant supply overhang and the market conditions remain challenging, however, there is some volume returning to the spot market, although primarily for short term work. Our priorities for the remainder of the year continue to be delivering safe and efficient operations for our customers whilst concluding on our financing plans."

Exxon Mobil Corp.Royal Dutch Shell PLC, BP PLC and Chevron Corp. hold a combined net debt of $184 billion -- more than double their debt levels in 2014, when oil prices began a steep descent that eventually bottomed out at $27 a barrel earlier this year. Crude prices have rebounded since, but still hover near $50 a barrel.

It suggests that crude oil could be entering a more stable trading range of $50-$70/barrel rather than falling back below $50 again for a significant period.

Iraq, which depends on oil sales for 95 percent of its public spending, appears set to continue boosting production, which currently stands at around 4.6 million barrels per day.

Iran sent a letter to members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries saying it would attend the group’s informal talks in Algeria in September, OPEC delegates told The Wall Street Journal. An Iranian oil-ministry press official couldn’t confirm the letter had been sent late Tuesday.

Net income dropped 98 percent to 531 million yuan ($80 million), the state-run explorer said in a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange on Wednesday. Revenue fell 15.8 percent to 739 billion yuan. The sale of a Central Asian pipeline network helped the company eke out a profit and recover from its first-ever quarterly loss earlier this year.

The Western sanctions have left Gazprom largely unaffected, including with respect to the execution and extension of existing contracts and the conclusion of new contracts for gas supplies with foreign parties, and have had little bearing on the Company's ongoing activities.

In the year through June, China's gas consumption rose 9.8 percent to 99.5 bcm, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) reported. Production edged up 2.9 percent to 67.5 bcm, while imports jumped 21.2 percent to 35.6 bcm, the top planning agency said.

Saudi Arabia has traditionally accounted for most of the crude imports by Asia, the world's biggest oil-consuming region. But recently OPEC's top producer has lost ground in a number of major markets including Russia and China, and faces a further threat from Iran, which is ramping up exports after the removal of Western sanctions.