China's crude oil imports from Iran rose 4.7% month on month to 926,119 b/d in July, while the US ranked as the eighth largest crude supplier as shipments surged to a 13-month high of 362,364 b/d,

Brent was up 38 cents, or 0.64%, at $59.72 a barrel, WTI was up 54 cents, or 1%, at $54.71 a barrel.

China has announced a 5% tariff on imported US crude oil in retaliation for US President Donald Trump’s recent escalation of the countries’ trade war.

Nigeria's oil production hovered around 2.2 million b/d in the first week of August, compared with around 1.92 million b/d a year ago.

U.S. Rig Count is down 19 rigs from last week to 916, with oil rigs down 16 to 754, gas rigs down 3 to 162, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 0. U.S. Rig Count is down 19 rigs from last week to 916, with oil rigs down 16 to 754, gas rigs down 3 to 162, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 0.

Brent rose 29 cents, or 0.5%, to $60.21 a barrel, WTI were at $55.53 a barrel, up 18 cents, or 0.3%.

Rosneft, which produces around five percent of the world’s oil, is now taking care of shipping and marketing operations for the bulk of Venezuelan oil exports, ensuring that PDVSA can continue to supply buyers.

U.S. energy firms had interests in the South China Sea and Washington was “committed to bolstering the energy security of our partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific region and in ensuring uninterrupted regional oil and gas production for the global market.”U.S. warships have conducted periodic “freedom of navigation” operations in the South China Sea to challenge China’s claim to nearly all of the strategic waterway.

Brent had gained 26 cents, or 0.43%, to $60.29 a barrel, WTI was up 3 cents, or 0.05%, at $56.16 a barrel.

U.S. petroleum and natural gas production increased by 16% and by 12%, respectively, in 2018, and these totals combined established a new production record.