"It's quite possible that if oil prices remain at the low levels for long, oil production could decline, as had been the case before. Anyway, we don't expect any significant cuts,"

"We cut our real GDP outlook... to take into account a weaker-than-expected second quarter, a deteriorating global emerging market outlook, and our oil price revisions,"

At a time when the oil price is languishing at its lowest level in six years, producers need to find half a trillion dollars to repay debt.

Russian oil firms are increasing their rouble profits and raising production as a weak currency protects their business, which has turned into one of the world's most profitable.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, jumped by $4.42 a barrel in afternoon trading to settle at $47.56. The 10.2 per cent gain marked its biggest one day advance since December 2008.

Although OPEC's statutes say support from a simple majority of the 12 members can trigger an extraordinary meeting, none will occur without support from Saudi Arabia, which has yet to give its blessing, OPEC delegates say.

In the first half of 2015, sales revenues were $51,294 million (-30.6% y-o-y). Net income attributable to LUKOIL decreased by 58.9% y-o-y to $1,695 million, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortization) decreased by 32.4% y-o-y to $6,379 million. In the first half of 2015, our financial results were affected by a sharp decrease in the hydrocarbon prices and non-cash write-off in the amount of $324 million.

Local industry and investment experts said Monday they expect continued struggles for the oil and gas industry following sub-$40-a-barrel prices and big drops in Wall Street stocks across the board.

Most Middle Eastern stock markets declined amid mounting concern the region’s largest economy will cut spending after oil prices slumped to the lowest since 2009.

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Asia’s biggest oil refiner, posted a 22 percent decline in profit for the first half of the year as the slump in prices outweighed the benefit of cheaper crude to its refining business.