August 2015

In the second quarter and first half 2015, our total revenues increased by 27.0% and 27.6%, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of 2014. The growth was mainly due to an increase in liquids sales volumes and net prices in Russian rouble terms. Average net prices of liquid hydrocarbons were positively impacted by the substantial increase in sales volumes of high value-added petroleum products from the Ust-Luga Complex, the decrease in export duty rates and rouble devaluation against the US dollar, which more than offset the decline in international hydrocarbon prices.

National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (NYSE: NOV) today reported that for its second quarter ended June 30, 2015, it earned net income of $289 million, or $0.74 per fully diluted share, compared to first quarter ended March 31, 2015 net income of $310 million, or $0.76 per fully diluted share. Excluding other items and non-recurring charges from all periods, second quarter net income was $301 million, or $0.77 per fully diluted share, compared to $1.14 in the first quarter of 2015 and $1.47 in the second quarter of 2014. Second quarter 2015 other items were $17 million in pre-tax severance and facility closure charges.

Weatherford International plc (NYSE: WFT) reported a net loss before charges of $77 million ($0.10 net loss per share non-GAAP) on revenues of $2.39 billion for the second quarter of 2015. GAAP net loss for the second quarter of 2015 was $489 million, or a net loss of $0.63 per share.

Imports by Iran's four biggest buyers - China, India, Japan and South Korea - totaled 1.17 million barrels per day (bpd) last month, up more than 13 percent from a year earlier, government and tanker-tracking data showed.

Imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Japan, South Korea, and China, the three largest global importers, all located in the Asia Pacific region, have declined by an average 1.4 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) (6.7%) in the first five months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

U.S. Rig Count is down 2 rigs from last week to 874, with oil rigs up 5 to 664, gas rigs down 7 to 209, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 1.

Exxon Mobil Corporation today announced estimated second quarter 2015 earnings of $4.2 billion, or $1 per diluted share, compared with $8.8 billion a year earlier. Higher Downstream and Chemical earnings were more than offset by the impact of weaker Upstream realizations and lower asset management gains.

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) reported earnings of $571 million ($0.30 per share – diluted) for second quarter 2015, compared with earnings of $5.7 billion ($2.98 per share – diluted) in the 2014 second quarter.

Centrica will cut around 10 percent of its workforce and sell up to 1 billion pounds ($1.56 billion) worth of upstream and wind assets by 2017 as Britain's largest utility looks to focus on energy supply and services.

The transaction is ostensibly intended to help energy company KazMunayGaz (KMG) reduce its $20 billion debt portfolio, which has been exacerbated by low oil prices.