One of the highest priorities in Russia's gas export and marketing strategy is establishing its own southern corridor for gas exports to Europe, in competition with the EU-backed project.

Baker Hughes Incorporated (NYSE:BHI) announced today that the international rig count for April 2017 was 956, up 13 from the 943 counted in March 2017, and up 10 from the 946 counted in April 2016. The international offshore rig count for April 2017 was 201, up 4 from the 197 counted in March 2017, and down 19 from the 220 counted in April 2016.

Nord Stream 2 AG signed financing agreements for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project with ENGIE, OMV, Shell, Uniper and Wintershall.

Торгово-экономическое сотрудничество России и Катара демонстрирует высокие темпы и имеет солидный потенциал.

State-owned Petrobangla has inked final deals with Summit LNG Terminal Co., a subsidiary of the Summit Group, to development Bangladesh's second floating LNG terminal.

The crude oil contract for May delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell 53¢ on Apr. 17 to close at $52.65/bbl. The June contract lost 49¢ to $53.11/bbl. The natural gas price for May declined 6.4¢ to a rounded $3.16/MMbtu. The Henry Hub cash gas price closed Apr. 17 at $3.06/MMbtu, up 8¢. The Brent crude contract for June on London’s ICE also declined 53¢, settling at $55.36/bbl. The July contract was down 49¢ to $55.88/bbl. The gas oil contract for May lost 25¢ at $497.75/tonne. The average price for OPEC’s basket of benchmark crudes on Apr. 17 was $52.94/bbl, down 43¢.

The seven major onshore producing regions in the US are expected to collectively increase oil output by 124,000 b/d month-over-month in May to average 5.193 million b/d. Gas production from the seven regions is forecast to gain 501 MMcfd month-over-month in May to 50.089 bcfd. The Permian is expected to rise 159 MMcfd to 8.135 bcfd, while the Eagle Ford is projected to increase 84 MMcfd to 5.936 bcfd.

Benchmark Brent crude futures were down 53 cents at $55.36 at 0836 GMT (4:36 a.m. ET). On Thursday, before major markets closed for a holiday break, they settled up 3 cents at $55.89 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were down 46 cents at $52.72 a barrel, after rising 7 cents to $53.18 on Thursday.

“We are continuing to invest and strengthen our core oil and gas business across the value chain.”

International benchmark Brent crude futures were up 33 cents by 0900 GMT at $56.56 a barrel, their highest since early March. If the day's gains hold, it will be the longest winning streak for Brent since February 2012. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 26 cents at $53.66 a barrel, on track for a seventh straight session of gains.

North Sea Brent crude oil spot prices averaged $52 per barrel (b) in March, $3/b lower than the February average. EIA forecasts Brent prices to average $54/b in 2017 and $57/b in 2018. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices are forecast to average $2/b less than Brent prices in both 2017 and 2018.

For 2017, Henry Hub prices are projected to average $3.10/MMBtu, 7 cents above what was indicated in March. The forecast for 2018 stayed steady at $3.45/MMBtu.

Lower hydrocarbon prices have adversely impacted macroeconomic performance. Growth has slowed despite still resilient non-hydrocarbon activity. Real GDP growth of 2.7 percent is estimated for 2016. Inflation remained low despite subsidy cuts, averaging about 2.7 percent in 2016.

API announced today that estimated total wells drilled and completed in the first quarter of 2017 saw an increase of 35 percent compared to the first quarter of 2016. This is a drastic improvement from 2016 levels which saw a 59 percent decrease in total wells drilled and completed from the previous year.

Ukraine has been urged to finalise gas sector reforms by Janez Kopac, director of Energy Community that regroups EU and non-EU states in Europe.