August 2015

Russian oil firms are increasing their rouble profits and raising production as a weak currency protects their business, which has turned into one of the world's most profitable.

Eni has made a world class supergiant gas discovery at its Zohr Prospect, in the deep waters of Egypt. The discovery could hold a potential of 30 trillion cubic feet of lean gas in place covering an area of about 100 square kilometres.

Ukraine has asked Russia to reduce the cost it charges the country for gas as well as write-off loans Russia has given it.

U.S. Rig Count is down 8 rigs from last week to 877, with oil rigs up 1 at 675, gas rigs down 9 to 202, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 0.

Thanks to measures on cost optimization and control adjusted earnings before interests, tax and depreciation (EBITDA) amounted to RUB 326 bln (USD 6.3 bln) and increased by 14.0%, adjusted EBITDА margin reached 24.8% in Q2 2015 compared to Q1 2015. Adjusted EBITDA for the H1 2015 increased by 3.2% compared to H1 2014 up to RUB 612 bln.

Demand for and production of oil and refined products grew across the board over the last year,” said API Chief Economist John Felmy. “In fact, demand for and production of oil and refined products were the highest July in eight years, since 2007.”

Brent crude, the international benchmark, jumped by $4.42 a barrel in afternoon trading to settle at $47.56. The 10.2 per cent gain marked its biggest one day advance since December 2008.

Although OPEC's statutes say support from a simple majority of the 12 members can trigger an extraordinary meeting, none will occur without support from Saudi Arabia, which has yet to give its blessing, OPEC delegates say.

Bulgaria’s Cabinet was preparing to seek damages for the idled properties that were due to host infrastructure for the now-abandoned South Stream gas pipeline, with the government approving on August 26 the methodology for calculating such damages.

In the first half of 2015, sales revenues were $51,294 million (-30.6% y-o-y). Net income attributable to LUKOIL decreased by 58.9% y-o-y to $1,695 million, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortization) decreased by 32.4% y-o-y to $6,379 million. In the first half of 2015, our financial results were affected by a sharp decrease in the hydrocarbon prices and non-cash write-off in the amount of $324 million.