Demand for and production of oil and refined products grew across the board over the last year,” said API Chief Economist John Felmy. “In fact, demand for and production of oil and refined products were the highest July in eight years, since 2007.”

Brent crude, the international benchmark, jumped by $4.42 a barrel in afternoon trading to settle at $47.56. The 10.2 per cent gain marked its biggest one day advance since December 2008.

Although OPEC's statutes say support from a simple majority of the 12 members can trigger an extraordinary meeting, none will occur without support from Saudi Arabia, which has yet to give its blessing, OPEC delegates say.

Выручка от реализации в первом полугодии 2015 г. составила 51 294 млн долл., что на 30,6% ниже уровня первого полугодия 2014 г. Чистая прибыль в первом полугодии 2015 г. составила 1 695 млн долл., показатель EBITDA (прибыль до вычета процентов, налога на прибыль, износа и амортизации) – 6 379 млн долл., что на 58,9% и 32,4% ниже уровня первого полугодия 2014 г. соответственно. Негативное влияние на финансовые показатели Группы в первом полугодии 2015 г. оказало резкое падение мировых цен на углеводороды, а также неденежные списания в размере 324 млн долл.

TOP TEN OIL PRODUCING COMPANIES IN THE WORLD

Local industry and investment experts said Monday they expect continued struggles for the oil and gas industry following sub-$40-a-barrel prices and big drops in Wall Street stocks across the board.

Most Middle Eastern stock markets declined amid mounting concern the region’s largest economy will cut spending after oil prices slumped to the lowest since 2009.

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Asia’s biggest oil refiner, posted a 22 percent decline in profit for the first half of the year as the slump in prices outweighed the benefit of cheaper crude to its refining business.

Cnooc Ltd., China’s biggest offshore oil and gas explorer, posted a 56 percent decline in profit for the first half of this year.

Continued growth in global production of petroleum and other liquids has outpaced consumption growth since August 2014, resulting in rising global liquids stocks. Total global liquids inventories are estimated to have grown by 2.3 million barrels per day (b/d) through the first seven months of 2015, the highest level of inventory builds through July of any year since 1998. These strong inventory builds have put significant downward pressure on near-term crude oil prices: North Sea Brent crude oil spot prices have averaged $58/barrel through July of this year compared to $109/b over the same period in 2014, responding to growth in global inventories.