Five Asian countries (Japan, South Korea, China, India, and Taiwan) accounted for 68% of global LNG imports in 2015. In the first six months of 2016, in total, these five countries only increased their LNG import volumes by 1% (0.2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d)), compared to the same period last year. However, higher imports in China and India more than offset declines in LNG consumption in the established markets of Japan and South Korea.

The slumping oil price has carved a chunk out of Australian oil and gas majors, with Woodside Petroleum reporting that profits halved in the first six months of the year while Santos swung to a loss of more than $1bn.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration said Wednesday that crude stockpiles fell by 2.5 million barrels in the week ended Friday. Analysts surveyed by The Wall Street Journal had expected a 500,000-barrel addition. Gasoline stockpiles fell by 2.7 million barrels. That helped the oil markets recover from losses tied to estimates from the American Petroleum Institute, an industry group, showing gasoline stockpiles rose by 2.2 million barrels.

OPEC revenue has fallen in step with the steep decline in crude oil prices. The monthly average Brent spot price dropped from $112 per barrel in June 2014 to $38/b in December 2015. OPEC revenue is expected to fall further in 2016 to $341 billion before rising to $427 billion in 2017.

Oil Production was 1 728 000 barrels, and is the largest monthly oil production volume in five years (March 2011). Total gas sales were 9.1 billion Sm3 (GSm3), which is an increase of 0.9 GSM3 from the previous month.

The world's fifth-largest crude importer has continued to buy more crude oil from Iran since sanctions were lifted in January. Shipments of Iranian crude more than doubled to 7.22 million tonnes, or 248,616 bpd, in the January-July period of 2016 from a year earlier, according to its customs office data.

In our view, crude prices in the next few months are likely to exhibit a sideways-to-bearish trend, mostly trading in the $35-$45 per barrel range. As North American supply remains strong and demand looks underwhelming, we are likely to experience pressure to the price of a barrel of oil.

Brent crude futures were trading at $48.35 per barrel at 0737 GMT (3:37 a.m. ET), flat from their last close, but over 15 percent higher than the $41.51 low for the month on Aug. 2. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was trading at $45.76 a barrel, up 2 cents from its previous close, and still over 16 percent above its $39.19 monthly low from Aug. 3.

Natural gas production worldwide is projected to increase from 342 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2015 to 554 Bcf/d by 2040.

U.S. oil production down 85 tbd, gas production down 373 mcfd.

Net income attributable to the shareholders of Petrobras of US$ 106 million, compared to net loss attributable to the shareholders of Petrobras of US$ 318 million in the 1Q-2016, as a result of: - A decrease of 22% in net finance expenses; - An 7% increase of crude oil and natural gas total production; - Higher revenues with an increase of 14% in crude oil and oil products exports and lower costs related to natural gas imports; Expenses related to the new Voluntary Separation Incentive Plan (PIDV); and Impairment losses related to Comperj assets.

Net income growth by x6.4 times to RUB 89 bln in 2Q 2016 Increase in EBITDA by 27.5%, to RUB 348 bln; EBITDA margin above 27% Effective control of operating and SG&A costs Industry leadership in free cash flow generation Decrease in net debt by 41.4%, to USD 23.4 bln from 1H 2015

"With regard to the cooperation with Saudi Arabia, the dialogue between our two countries is developing in a tangible way, whether in the framework of a multi-party structure or on a bilateral level," Novak was quoted as saying.

Brent crude oil futures rose to a high for the month of $47.67 a barrel on Monday before dipping back to $47.10 per barrel at 0943 GMT, up 13 cents from their last settlement, and 11.3 percent above the last close in July. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose to a high of $45.15 a barrel before dipping to $44.63 a barrel, still up 14 cents from their last close. WTI has gained more than 7 percent in August.

Средняя цена на нефть Urals за период мониторинга с 15 июля по 14 августа 2016 года составила $41,57667 за баррель, или $303,5 за тонну. Согласно расчетам Минфина России экспортная пошлина на нефть в РФ с 1 сентября 2016 года понизится на $10,1 и составит $80 за тонну.