OMV and Gazprom are two of the shareholders in the contentious Nord Stream-2 expansion project. BASF, E.ON, ENGIE, and Shell are the four other stakeholders.

Norway traditionally vies with Russia to be the EU’s top gas supplier, providing about 30 per cent of import demand. In terms of energy security, EU officials hail Norway as a model of stability compared with the political and commercial risks associated with Russia and Algeria.

“Relatively low gas prices, combined with low oil prices, have slowed drilling in the Marcellus (Shale) so production from new wells is only offsetting the decline in old wells,” said EIA lead upstream analyst Dana Van Wagener.

"I will defend the position for the construction of Nord Stream II and (a) gas hub in Bulgaria - it is advantageous for the country and nobody can reproach me for that," Borisov told reporters.

“We are interested to come back to Iran when the sanctions are lifted and if the contracts are interesting,” Stephane Michel, Total’s head of exploration and production in the Middle East said at the conference. “We have worked in this country for a long time, so we know specific fields on which we’ve worked.”

The development of economic relations starting with the so-called suitcase trading of the early 1990s when Russian and Turkish tourists began to visit each other’s country, engaging in cross-border commerce, and ending with complex investment project such as Russia’s planned Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey contributed to the softening of those rivalries.

Nowadays the proven shale gas reserves across the globe were estimated at about five trillion cubic meters, which was less than three per cent of the world's aggregate proven gas reserves.

The government hopes international companies will commit at least $100 billion that Iran says it needs to boost oil-production capacity by more than 1 million barrels a day.

“The regional potential is being realised, and the Israeli gas discoveries look to play a key role in shaping the regional energy market,” said Yossi Abu, chief executive of Delek Drilling, in a statement announcing the Egyptian agreement. “The deal with Dolphinus is further proof of the political and economic benefits that may be derived through regional co-operation between states and energy companies.”

“I think, Iran can become a major gas supplier to the Persian Gulf and regional markets, but European LNG markets are a tough competitive place for Iran."

U.S. Rig Count is down 13 rigs from last week to 744, with oil rigs down 9 to 555, and gas rigs down 4 to 189.

Oil, natural gas and coal producers are risking $2.2 trillion by investing in projects for which there will be no demand if the world meets a United Nations target of limiting the rise in temperature to less than 2 degrees Celsius, a non-profit think tank said.

“Despite of challenging economic environment, the Company keeps improving its efficiency. This is demonstrated by keeping operating costs in rouble terms at sustainable level in conditions of 12.0% increase in industry prices. Preserving the cost base and efficient risk management contributed to an increase in profits for 9M 2015 compared to 9M 2014 despite oil price drop. The Company achieved a structural improvement in the credit profile, while the debt burden was reduced to the target level.”

‘The latest estimates for 2016 show that total investments are expected to amount to NOK 219.4 billion. This is 5.4 per cent lower than the corresponding figure for 2015. The decline is mainly due to a fall of 9.3 per cent within oil and gas’ reads the statement.

"Russia has made huge investments in exploration, refining, and transportation of gas and holds a great share of supplying security. The country plans to increase its output to 855 billion cubic meters per year by 2035," Putin said.