The Chinese economy is facing external headwinds and an uncertain environment. GDP growth slowed to 6.6 percent in 2018, driven by necessary financial regulatory reforms and softening external demand. Growth is projected to moderate to 6.2 percent in 2019 as the planned policy stimulus partially offsets the negative impact from the US tariff hike on US$ 200 billion of Chinese exports. Headline inflation rose due to rising food prices and is expected to remain around 2½ percent.

Five Rosatom staff members died and a further three people were injured in a tragic accident that took place during tests on a liquid propulsion system involving isotopes at a military facility in Arkhangelsk region.

Brent crude futures were at $57.80 a barrel by 0854 GMT, up 42 cents from their previous settlement. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were at $52.80 per barrel, up 26 cents.

Aramco signed a letter of intent to take a 20% stake in Reliance’s oil-to-chemicals business in one of the largest ever foreign investments in India, Reliance announced.

U.S. Rig Count is down 8 rigs from last week to 934, with oil rigs down 6 to 764, gas rigs down 2 to 169, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 1. Canada Rig Count is up 3 rigs from last week to 140, with oil rigs up 3 to 94 and gas rigs unchanged at 46.

Brent crude futures were at $57.80 a barrel by 0854 GMT, up 42 cents from their previous settlement. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were at $52.80 per barrel, up 26 cents.

Saudi Aramco will cut customer allocations across all regions by a total of 700,000 barrels a day next month,

The 1,230-km (765-mile) Nord Stream 2 pipeline, now under construction, has come under fire from the United States and several eastern European, Nordic and Baltic countries, which say the conduit will increase Europe’s reliance on Russian gas.

Occidental Petroleum Corporation ("Occidental" or "the Company") (NYSE: OXY) today announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation ("Anadarko") (NYSE: APC) in a transaction valued at $55 billion, including the assumption of Anadarko’s debt.

Brent crude had rebounded to $57.81 a barrel, up $1.58, or 2.81%, from its last close by 0634 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures jumped $1.61, or 3.15%, to $52.70 a barrel.