The US was the second biggest LPG supplier to China in 2017 at 3.54 million mt, comprising 3.37 million mt of propane and 162,668 mt of butane. The volume dropped 54% a year later in 2018 to 1.62 million mt as a result of trade tensions between the two economies, and in 2019 only 2,443 mt of US propane was imported into China, customs data showed.

Researchers have stated that hydrogen is likely to be cost-competitive by 2035. But other technologies, such as battery storage, which have had a head start over hydrogen are more economical in the short term.

Brent was trading down $1.65, or 4.6%, at $34.14 , WTI was down $1.38, or 4.2%, at $31.60

EIA forecasts Brent crude oil prices will average $43/b in 2020, down from an average of $64/b in 2019. For 2020, EIA expects prices will average $37/b during the second quarter and then rise to $42/b during the second half of the year. EIA forecasts that average Brent prices will rise to an average of $55/b in 2021, as declining global oil inventories put upward pressure on prices.

Total global oil demand is now assumed at 99.73 mb/d in 2020, with 2H20 forecast to see higher consumption than 1H20. Considering the latest developments, downward risks currently outweigh any positive indicators and suggest further likely downward revisions in oil demand growth, should the current status persist.

Russia has long been seeking to capitalize on its OPEC ties with investment deals, which have been slow to materialize despite official state visits by Saudi King Salman to Moscow in 2017 and Russian President Vladimir Putin to Riyadh in October.

Al Mazrouei said, via a series of tweets, "OPEC and OPEC+ played an important role in delivering market stability. The UAE Ministry of Energy and Industry firmly believes that a new agreement is essential to support a balanced and less volatile market."

Saudi Aramco received a directive from the Ministry of Energy to increase its maximum sustainable capacity (MSC) from 12 million barrels per day (MMBD) to 13 MMBD.

UAE Minister of State and ADNOC Group CEO, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber has commented on recent market developments, noting that the UAE oil company is set to supply the market with over four million barrels of oil per day in April 2020.

Norway's preliminary production figures for February 2020 show an average daily production of 2 106 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate,