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).

U.S. Rig Count is down 11 rigs from last week to 420, with oil rigs down 11 to 332, gas rigs down 1 to 87, and miscellaneous rigs up 1 to 1. Canadian Rig Count is down 3 rigs from last week to 37, with oil rigs down 2 to 10, gas rigs down 1 to 26, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 1.

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.

"В состав алжирской делегации Форума вошли более 200 бизнесменов, заинтересованных в развитии деловых связей в топливно-энергетическом комплексе, сельском хозяйстве, строительстве и других секторах экономики"

National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (NYSE:NOV) reported a first quarter 2016 net loss of $21 million, or $0.06 per share, excluding other items. Other items included $147 million in pre-tax charges primarily associated with severance and facility closure costs. GAAP net loss for the quarter was $119 million, or $0.32 per share.

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.

The French oil company said on Wednesday it had made $1.6bn in adjusted net income in the first three months of the year. This marks a turnround from the previous quarter, when it made a loss of $1.8bn, but remains some way below the $2.6bn it made in the first quarter of last year.