PLATTS - Current global oil prices at around $70-80/b are due to the volatile situation on the market and include a premium for risks associated with sanctions and oil supply cuts, but they are expected to fall to around $50/b in the long term, Russian energy minister Alexander Novak said Tuesday.

U.S. EIA - Crude oil production from the major US onshore regions is forecast to increase 79,000 b/d month-over-month in October from 7,515 to 7,594 thousand barrels/day , gas production to increase 961 million cubic feet/day from 72,127 to 73,088 million cubic feet/day .

REUTERS - Beijing on Tuesday said it would tax U.S. products worth $60 billion effective Sept. 24 in retaliation for tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump in an escalating trade war.

NPD - Preliminary production figures for August 2018 show an average daily production of 1 870 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate, which is a decrease of 42 000 barrels per day compared to July.

IMF - Norway is in the midst of a healthy recovery from the oil downturn, supported by positive trends in oil prices and a strengthening labor market. In addition, banks remain profitable and well capitalized. However, household debt continues to increase and house prices have resumed their rise, especially in the Oslo area, after a correction during 2017.

IMF - Beyond Brexit, the UK faces a range of other economic challenges. These include persistently lackluster productivity growth, large public debt, and the wide current account deficit. The UK’s sound macroeconomic framework, regulatory environment, and deep capital and flexible labor markets will be advantages in implementing reforms to address them.

PLATTS - Speaking on the sidelines of the Gastech conference in Barcelona, Mikhelson said Novatek could review its strategy to reach 57 million mt/year of LNG production by 2030 in the coming years as it continues to expand its already huge gas resource base in northern Russia.

REUTERS - Brent crude oil was up 40 cents a barrel at $78.49 by 1155 GMT. U.S. light crude was up 45 cents at $69.44.

PLATTS - South Korea's crude oil imports from Iran plunged 86.5% in August from a year earlier due to pending re-imposition of US sanctions on Tehran, according to preliminary data released by the Korea Customs Service Monday.

WNN - The future of nuclear energy depends on the industry’s readiness to address the seven factors influencing its prospects, the deputy director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told delegates at the World Nuclear Association Symposium 2018 held in London last week.

U.S. FRB - Industrial production rose 0.4 percent in August for its third consecutive monthly increase. Manufacturing output moved up 0.2 percent on the strength of a 4.0 percent rise for motor vehicles and parts; motor vehicle assemblies jumped to an annual rate of 11.5 million units, the strongest reading since April. Excluding the gain in motor vehicles and parts, factory output was unchanged.

BAKER HUGHES A GE - U.S. Rig Count is up 7 rigs from last week to 1,055, with oil rigs up 7 to 867, gas rigs unchanged at 186, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 2. Canada Rig Count is up 22 rigs from last week to 226, with oil rigs up 15 to 148 and gas rigs up 7 to 78.

REUTERS - Brent crude was up 3 cents at $78.21 a barrel by 0634 GMT, after falling 2 percent on Thursday. The global benchmark rose on Wednesday to its highest since May 22 at $80.13. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were up 18 cents, or 0.2 percent, at 68.76 a barrel, after dropping 2.5 percent on Thursday.

IEA - If Venezuelan and Iranian exports do continue to fall, markets could tighten and oil prices could rise without offsetting production increases from elsewhere.

REUTERS - U.S. shale producers are locking in prices for their production as much as three years into the future in a sign that strong domestic crude pricing is nearing a peak, according to market sources familiar with money flows.