The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a recent report said more than 70 SMR designs and concepts exist worldwide. SMRs also are being touted for their ability to work as a multi-module plant, combining modules for more power output.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest inventory of electricity generators, developers and power plant owners plan for 39.7 gigawatts (GW) of new electricity generating capacity to start commercial operation in 2021.

Brent were down 78 cents, or 1.4%, at $55.21 a barrel. WTI slipped 52 cents, or 1%, to $51.72 a barrel.

"The quick change in the market dynamics has taken Indian LNG buyers by surprise. A lot of Indian buyers can't afford to pay these prices. We will see demand destruction across various sectors,"

Petrobras pumped an average of 2.28 million b/d in 2020, beating the previous record of 2.23 million b/d set in 2015, the company said.

Total nonfarm payroll employment declined by 140,000 in December, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.7 percent

Combined, they accounted for almost 71% (14,734 MW) of the 20,803 MW of new utility-scale capacity reported to have been added thus far in 2020. Year-to-date, wind (8,042 MW) and solar (6,485 MW) have each contributed more new generating capacity than has natural gas (6,039 MW).

U.S. Rig Count is up 9 from last week to 360, Canada Rig Count is up 58 from last week to 117.

Brent climbed 83 cents, or 1.5%, to $55.21 a barrel. WTI gained 66 cents, or 1.3%, to $51.49.

Global economic output is expected to expand 4 percent in 2021 but still remain more than 5 percent below its pre-pandemic trend.

Europe’s Euro STOXX 600 opened up 0.7%, with Frankfurt’s index up 0.8% after German industrial output and exports rose in November.

Chinese natural gas demand to reach 360 Bcm in 2021, up 8.4% from an estimated 332 Bcm in 2020. It was at 313 Bcm in 2019.

U.S. commercial crude oil inventories decreased by 8.0 million barrels to 485.5 million barrels.

Iraq had a 3.804 million b/d quota for December under the OPEC+ deal.

U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) set a new record in December after a record-breaking November 2020, averaging 9.8 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d),