PLATTS - Current global oil prices at around $70-80/b are due to the volatile situation on the market and include a premium for risks associated with sanctions and oil supply cuts, but they are expected to fall to around $50/b in the long term, Russian energy minister Alexander Novak said Tuesday.

REUTERS - Brent crude oil was up 40 cents a barrel at $78.49 by 1155 GMT. U.S. light crude was up 45 cents at $69.44.

REUTERS - Brent crude was up 3 cents at $78.21 a barrel by 0634 GMT, after falling 2 percent on Thursday. The global benchmark rose on Wednesday to its highest since May 22 at $80.13. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were up 18 cents, or 0.2 percent, at 68.76 a barrel, after dropping 2.5 percent on Thursday.

IEA - If Venezuelan and Iranian exports do continue to fall, markets could tighten and oil prices could rise without offsetting production increases from elsewhere.

REUTERS - U.S. shale producers are locking in prices for their production as much as three years into the future in a sign that strong domestic crude pricing is nearing a peak, according to market sources familiar with money flows.

REUTERS - Benchmark Brent crude oil LCOc1 was down 70 cents a barrel at $79.04 by 0830 GMT. U.S. light crude CLc1 fell $1.15 to a low of $69.22 a barrel.

REUTERS - U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 were at $69.93 per barrel at 0646 GMT, up 68 cents, or 1 percent, from their last settlement. WTI futures gained 2.5 percent in the previous session. Brent crude futures LCOc1 climbed 30 cents, or 0.4 percent, to $79.36 a barrel. Brent has climbed for four straight sessions, gaining 2.2 percent the previous day.

PLATTS - "There is a fairly significant combined potential by the countries [participating in the deal] that can increase production and this potential can be used if necessary," Novak said Wednesday.

U.S. EIA - EIA expects Brent spot prices will average $73/b in 2018 and $74/b in 2019. EIA expects West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices will average about $6/b lower than Brent prices in 2018 and in 2019. NYMEX WTI futures and options contract values for December 2018 delivery that traded during the five-day period ending September 6, 2018, suggest a range of $56/b to $85/b encompasses the market expectation for December WTI prices at the 95% confidence level.

REUTERS - Benchmark Brent crude oil rose $1.09 a barrel, or 1.4 percent, to a high of $77.92 and was trading at $77.85 by 0900 GMT. U.S. light crude was 70 cents higher at $68.45.