Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) announced estimated first quarter 2016 earnings of $1.8 billion, or $0.43 per diluted share, compared with $4.9 billion a year earlier. The impacts of sharply lower commodity prices and weaker refining margins were partly offset by strong Chemical results.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) reported a first-quarter 2016 net loss of $1.5 billion, or ($1.18) per share, compared with first-quarter 2015 earnings of $272 million, or $0.22 per share. Excluding special items, first-quarter 2016 adjusted earnings were a net loss of $1.2 billion, or ($0.95) per share, compared with a first-quarter 2015 adjusted net loss of $222 million, or ($0.18) per share.

San Ramon, Calif., April 29, 2016 – Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) reported a loss of $725 million ($0.39 per share – diluted) for first quarter 2016, compared with earnings of $2.6 billion ($1.37 per share – diluted) in the 2015 first quarter. Foreign currency effects decreased earnings in the 2016 quarter by $319 million, compared with an increase of $580 million a year earlier. Sales and other operating revenues in first quarter 2016 were $23 billion, compared to $32 billion in the year-ago period.

Seadrill generated EBITDA of $513 million for the fourth quarter 2015 Current order backlog of $5.1 billion $10.7 billion for Seadrill Group

Operating losses were $500 million ($0.33 per common share), driven by low commodity prices, wider bitumen differentials to Western Canadian Select (WCS), weak benchmark refining margins and a Refining and Marketing first-in, first-out (FIFO) loss of $192 million. Net earnings were $257 million ($0.17 per common share).

The stronger crude oil demand outlook is likely the main reason for higher crude prices across the entire futures curve, whereas the near-term supply concerns are putting additional upward pressure on prices for near-term delivery.

Brent for June settlement increased as much as $1.23, or 2.7 percent, to $46.97 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The contract gained $1.26 to $45.74 a barrel on the on Tuesday. The global benchmark crude traded at a premium of $1.91 to WTI.

Adjusted earnings were USD 857 million in the first quarter compared to USD 2,945 million in the same period in 2015. The reduction was primarily a consequence of significantly lower liquids and gas prices, partially offset by good operational performance and reduced underlying operating costs. Adjusted earnings after tax were USD 122 million in the first quarter, down from USD 902 million in the same period last year.

At an average price of $53 per barrel of oil means the world’s 50 biggest publicly traded companies in the industry can stop bleeding cash, according to oilfield consultant Wood Mackenzie Ltd. Nabors, which owns the world’s largest fleet of onshore drilling rigs, said it has already been talking with several large customers about plans to boost work in the second half of the year if prices rise "comfortably" above $50.

Amid improving market sentiment and a weakening dollar, the World Bank is raising its 2016 forecast for crude oil prices to $41 per barrel from $37 per barrel.