PE - The development of Novatek's still-expanding Yamal liquefied natural gas project has so far proved to be largely immune from Western sanctions. As Asian demand surges, this is bolstering confidence among partners lining up to provide financing for the company's second LNG project on Russia's Arctic coast.

REUTERS - Exxon Mobil Corp is placing big bets on China’s soaring liquefied natural gas (LNG) demand, coupling multi-billion dollar production projects around the world with its first mainland storage and distribution outlet.

PLATTS - Norwegian natural gas exports to the UK jumped to their highest in six months Wednesday as consistently high UK prices incentivized flows normally only reserved for wintry periods.

SHANA - Managing Director of the Iranian Gas Engineering and Development Company (IGEDC) Hassan Montazer Torbati said the supply of one billion cubic meters per day of natural gas by National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) was one of the goals of the company by 2021.

NPD - Preliminary production figures for September 2018 show an average daily production of 1 607 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate, which is a decrease of 255 000 barrels per day compared to August.

BLOOMBERG - MEG Energy Corp. said Wednesday it had rejected a C$3 billion ($2.3 billion) hostile takeover by Husky Energy Inc. and plans to launch a strategic review with an eye to finding another buyer.

REUTERS - The United States must not determine European energy policy or decide whether Germany buys Russian gas, a top German diplomat said on Tuesday.

FT - “Total has great ambition in this country, we want to be the largest foreign oil and gas player here,” the company’s chief executive Patrick Pouyanné said on Monday at the launch of a factory outside Moscow. 

BLOOMBERG - The wealth fund’s initial case had focused on limiting Norway’s exposure to a drop in oil prices, given its status as western Europe’s biggest petroleum producer. When the proposal was first made last year, it rocked markets, and drew responses from a number of major investors.

U.S. EIA - Crude oil production from the major US onshore regions is forecast to increase 98,000 b/d month-over-month in November from 7,616 to 7,714 thousand barrels/day , gas production to increase 957 million cubic feet/day from 73,104 to 74,061 million cubic feet/day .

GAZPROM - The parties discussed relevant issues related to bilateral cooperation, including the Baltic LNG project. Emphasis was placed on the priority measures aimed at developing a joint design concept (pre-FEED).

EIA - Brent crude oil spot prices averaged $79 per barrel (b) in September, up $6/b from August. EIA expects Brent spot prices will average $74/b in 2018 and $75/b in 2019. EIA expects West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices will average about $6/b lower than Brent prices in 2018 and in 2019.

PLATTS - "If sanctions were put on Rosneft or Lukoil or Gazprom, like what happened to Rusal, you would virtually shut down the energy systems of Europe," Dudley said.

NOVATEK - NOVATEK’s hydrocarbons production totaled 402.2million barrels of oil equivalent (boe), including 50.31 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas and 8,775 thousand tons of liquids (gas condensate and crude oil), resulting in an increase in total hydrocarbons production by 18.9 million boe, or by 4.9%, as compared with the nine months 2017.

EIA - The project is a joint venture between Royal Dutch Shell (which holds a 40% stake in the project), Petronas (25%), Mitsubishi (15%), PetroChina (15%), and Korea Gas (5%).