The world's fifth-largest crude importer has continued to buy more crude oil from Iran since sanctions were lifted in January. Shipments of Iranian crude more than doubled to 7.22 million tonnes, or 248,616 bpd, in the January-July period of 2016 from a year earlier, according to its customs office data.

The Russian government has issued the license for the Central Oil and Gas Company – a joint venture between Lukoil (25%), Gazprom (25%) and Kazakhstan’s KazMunaiGaz (50% ) – to develop the Central field.

Indonesia's Pertamina has signed a deal with Petrochemical Commercial Company (PCC) of Iran for the import of refined petroleum and petrochemical products.

In our view, crude prices in the next few months are likely to exhibit a sideways-to-bearish trend, mostly trading in the $35-$45 per barrel range. As North American supply remains strong and demand looks underwhelming, we are likely to experience pressure to the price of a barrel of oil.

“In this underground lies the energy that China needs for the future. Currently, we are sending 600 Mbpd of crude to China, and we expect to increase this trade to more than 1 MMbpd within the next years.”

Brent crude futures were trading at $48.35 per barrel at 0737 GMT (3:37 a.m. ET), flat from their last close, but over 15 percent higher than the $41.51 low for the month on Aug. 2. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was trading at $45.76 a barrel, up 2 cents from its previous close, and still over 16 percent above its $39.19 monthly low from Aug. 3.

U.S. oil production down 85 tbd, gas production down 373 mcfd.

"With regard to the cooperation with Saudi Arabia, the dialogue between our two countries is developing in a tangible way, whether in the framework of a multi-party structure or on a bilateral level," Novak was quoted as saying.

Brent crude oil futures rose to a high for the month of $47.67 a barrel on Monday before dipping back to $47.10 per barrel at 0943 GMT, up 13 cents from their last settlement, and 11.3 percent above the last close in July. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose to a high of $45.15 a barrel before dipping to $44.63 a barrel, still up 14 cents from their last close. WTI has gained more than 7 percent in August.

Средняя цена на нефть Urals за период мониторинга с 15 июля по 14 августа 2016 года составила $41,57667 за баррель, или $303,5 за тонну. Согласно расчетам Минфина России экспортная пошлина на нефть в РФ с 1 сентября 2016 года понизится на $10,1 и составит $80 за тонну.