Iraqi crude production rose to 4.65 million b/d in August, from 4.62 million b/d in July, the country's State Oil Marketing Organization said Monday, meaning the country pumped 140,000 b/d more than its OPEC quota of 4.51 million b/d.

Brazil has announced the rules for an auction of oil drilling rights worth $26bn, setting the stage for Latin America’s top crude producer to become an even bigger player in the global market.

Dutch Groningen gas production in August was down 6% on the year but up 6% from to 1.26 Bcm, according to data from operator NAM.

Brent was up 67 cents or 1.07% at $63.26 a barrel, WTI were up 63 cents, or 1.09%, at $58.48 a barrel.

Over January-August, China imported a total of 63.04 million mt, or 86.93 Bcm of natural gas, up 10.3% from 57.15 million mt, or 78.81 Bcm, during the same period last year, according to the customs data.

"Energy is essential for promoting human development and global demand is projected to increase significantly in the coming decades," Rising said. "Securing access to modern and affordable energy is essential for all, lifting people out of poverty and promoting energy independence and economic growth. Nuclear energy is a proven solution with a long established track record.

French nuclear electricity generation rose 1.8% to 27.8 terawatt hour (TWh) in August compared with the same month a year ago due to fewer unplanned outages and fewer heatwaves that can affect plant output, EDF said

With 58 nuclear power reactors producing nearly 72% of France’s electricity in 2018, France is one of the countries with the highest share of nuclear power in its energy production.

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 130,000 in August, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported

The worldwide rig count for August 2019 was 2,206, down 32 from the 2,238 counted in July 2019, and down 72 from the 2,278 counted in August 2018.

U.S. Rig Count is down 6 rigs from last week to 898, with oil rigs down 4 to 738, gas rigs down 2 to 160, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 0. Canada Rig Count is down 3 rigs from last week to 147, with oil rigs down 3 to 102 and gas rigs unchanged at 45.

Brent was up 6 cents at $61.01 a barrel, WTI was up 5 cents at $56.35 a barrel.

Bankruptcy filings by U.S. energy producers through mid-August this year have nearly matched the total for the whole of 2018. A stock index of oil and gas producers hit an all-time low in August, a sign investors are expecting more trouble ahead.

Investment in new renewable energy is on course to total $2.6 trillion in the years from 2010 through the end of 2019, according to a study by BloombergNEF for the United Nations Environment Program and Frankfurt School’s UNEP Center published Thursday.

Brent was up 17 cents at $60.87 a barrel, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 1 cent to $56.27.