Third-quarter 2015 results could show continued declines in profits, cash flow, and capital expenditure if crude oil prices continue to decline.

Gazprom's new strategy appears to focus on flexibility in supply routes, markets and possibly even pricing; on dealing with the European energy market as a whole instead of piecemeal; and on leaving natural gas on Europe's doorstep to be transported to market through internal European pipelines.

U.S. Rig Count is down 4 rigs from last week to 838, with oil rigs down 4 to 640, gas rigs down 1 to 197, and miscellaneous rigs up 1 to 1.

Changing dynamics in the global LNG market hint at a stronger role of European markets, and a decreased interest of American players given a minimal growth of the global markets, which are expected to increase 'only' between 2.1 and 2.5% in 2015.

India is ready to invest more than $15.2 billion to build projects in Iran including taking up full-scale development of Chabahar Port if Tehran offers better terms including cheaper gas, Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday.

"The original Nord Stream was funded by project finance. We believe raising multi-billion dollar project financing for Nord Stream 2 in the capital markets would probably be much harder now. This is because Western sanctions have significantly hindered international funding to Russian corporates, even those not directly sanctioned," Fitch said.

U.S. Rig Count is down 6 rigs from last week to 842, with oil rigs down 8 to 644, gas rigs up 2 to 198, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 0.

The agreement concerning Nord Stream-2 represents a success for Russia; it accomplishes the strategic goals of Russian gas policy in Europe (main - ceasing gas exports through Ukraine), despite the difficult political relations with the EU, the Western sanctions regime, and Brussels’ declaration that it will diversify the EU’s sources of supply and reduce its dependence on Russian gas.

«Газпром» и Siemens обсудили перспективы сотрудничества в рамках «Северного потока-2»

Romania's intention to stop importing Russian gas will not affect export revenue of Gazprom, said Ivan Grachev, head of the RF State Duma Energy Committee. "Russian gas consumption in Romania is lower than random fluctuations of Gazprom exports to Europe", added Mr. Grachev.

The two PMs were reacting to a preliminary agreement between Russian giant Gazprom and Western energy concerns including BASF, E.ON, ENGIE, OMV and Shell on doubling the transport capacity of Nord Stream in early September.

Top-flight Western firms such as Shell, E.On, BASF, and Engie (formerly GDF Suez) have banded together with Russia’s Gazprom to double the capacity of Nord Stream, with hopes it will be operational by late 2019.

Britain’s oil and gas platform builders are facing their worst downturn in orders for 25 years, threatening thousands of jobs across the UK.

U.S. Rig Count is down 16 rigs from last week to 848, with oil rigs down 10 to 652, gas rigs down 6 to 196, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 0.

LNG imports by 10 nations in the region that receive the tanker-delivered fuel dropped 3.4% from a year earlier in August, after reaching a two-year high in March, according to data from Genscape. Russian pipeline supplies soared about 20% from a year earlier in August, remaining at the highest level this year, tracking declining crude prices, according to data from Gazprom, the world’s biggest gas producer.