The Worldwide Rig Count for November was 1,794, up 17 from the 1,777 counted in October 2023, and down 96, from the 1,890 counted in November 2022.

Starting in December, Japan will begin operating "Strategic Buffer LNG," or SBL, cargoes in order to be prepared for any supply issues, starting with a minimum of one LNG cargo a month during the country's peak winter demand months over December 2023-February 2024, with JERA having been approved Nov. 24 as the first supplier.

Russia is expected to reduce both oil and natural gas production this year, according to Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. Oil is projected to fall by 8 million tons to 527 million tons, compared to 535 million tons last year, he said.

Russia is counting on a planned new pipeline to China as it seeks to make up for lost gas sales in Europe, but industry insiders see major political risks around a project that is overly dependent on one buyer and question whether it will justify the huge costs.

"Together with Norwegian gas, American LNG has proven to be a reliable and steady source of supply for Europe and will contribute to Europe's energy supply security," Aasland said.

Over the next five years North America’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity to expand by 12.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) as Mexico and Canada place into service their first LNG export terminals and the United States adds to its 11.4 Bcf/d of existing LNG capacity.

In the United States last year, according to the Energy Information Administration, natural gas accounted for 39.9 percent of electricity production; coal, 19.7 percent; nuclear, 18.2 percent; and renewables, the rest, although these are coming on fast.

Still, the trade has become a headache for Germany, which has explicitly said it won’t use gas from Russia in the fallout of the war in Ukraine. Berlin is facing sharp criticism over concerns that a government-run company still has ties to Moscow, despite its political rhetoric.

Oil has become the gift that keeps on giving. Aggressive long liquidation leaves the markets exposed to a strong geopolitical bid as it has a direct effect on oil production and transportation in the Middle East.

Preliminary production figures for August 2023 show an average daily production of 2 006 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate.