Russian oil and gas condensate production, among the world's largest, remained at a post-Soviet record level of 10.71 million barrels per day in April, underpinned by a recent recovery in oil prices, Energy Ministry data showed on Saturday.

Monthly average crude oil prices increased in February. The average domestic crude oil first purchase price rose $1.29 (3.0 percent), to $44.35 per barrel.

A widening corruption probe in China has ensnared another oil executive, this time the number two man at state owned Sinopec.A widening corruption probe in China has ensnared another oil executive, this time the number two man at state owned Sinopec.

Chevron Corp. reported first-quarter earnings of $2.6 billion, down from $4.5 billion in first-quarter 2014. Sales and other operating revenues in first quarter totaled $32 billion, compared with $51 billion a year earlier.

ExxonMobil Corp. reported first-quarter earnings of $4.9 billion, down from $9.1 billion during first-quarter 2014 due in part by upstream losses in the US. The total, however, exceeded analyst expectations.

Russia’s gas giant Gazprom is ready to launch gas supplies to China via the so-called eastern corridor within 4 years, Deputy Chairman of Management Committee Alexander Medvedev said Wednesday.

In the case of Gazprom, the commission has found that the Russian energy company charges different prices across the EU. Lithuania, for instance, at times pays a third more than Germany.

Russian natural gas accounts for roughly a third of all foreign supplied natural gas coming into Europe. Russia’s biggest partner is Germany. In that state, Russia’s presence is on the upswing.

U.S. energy consumption has slowed recently and is not anticipated to return to growth levels seen in the second half of the 20th century. EIA's Reference case projections in the Annual Energy Outlook 2015 (AEO2015) show that domestic consumption is expected to grow at a modest 0.3% per year through 2040, less than half the rate of population growth. Energy used in homes is essentially flat, and transportation consumption will decline slightly, meaning that energy consumption growth will be concentrated in U.S. businesses and industries.

U.S. economic growth braked more sharply than expected in the first quarter as harsh weather dampened consumer spending and energy companies struggling with low prices slashed spending, but there are signs activity is picking up.