EIA expects U.S. crude oil production to average 9.3 million barrels per day (bbl/d) in 2015, up 0.7 million bbl/d from 2014

Crude oil prices extended their slump on the New York market with a Dec. 11 settlement of less than $60/bbl for January, and prices continued downward in early Dec. 12 trading after the International Energy Agency cut its global oil demand growth forecast for 2015.

U.A.E. Says OPEC Won’t Change Output Even If Price Drops to $40

World Oil Demand Outlook Cut Again; Sub-$60 Price Seen Holding

4% Global Economic Growth Predicted to Boost Oil Price in 2015

The head of OPEC said on Sunday the group had no target price for oil, signalling no change to a policy to maintain production levels which has contributed to sharp falls in the price of crude, unnerving global markets.

Oil's slide to the lowest price in more than five years is carving a divide between U.S. shale drillers who heavily hedged future production and those who didn't.

Repsol, the Spanish oil group, is aiming to acquire Talisman Energy of Canada, in a deal that would value the target’s equity at up to $8bn

Mexico has unveiled long-awaited initial contract terms for the first 14 oil and gas areas it is auctioning in a historic tender round starting next year. They impose a ban on oil majors teaming up to bid and a five-block limit on bids from any company or consortium.

Halliburton Co. , the world’s second-largest oilfield-services company, said Thursday it will lay off 1,000 employees outside the U.S.