December 2018

WNN - Russia and Argentina plan to expand their cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy following the signing of a strategic document on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires.

IMF - IMF staff and the Argentine authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on the second review of the economic program supported by the Stand-By Arrangement. Completion of the review is subject to the approval of the IMF’s Executive Board and would make available SDR 5.5 billion (about US$7.6 billion).

PLATTS - Federal Iraq's crude oil exports fell to 3.372 million b/d in November, the lowest since April this year, as loadings were affected by rough weather, according to a statement from the oil ministry released over the weekend.

PLATTS - Oil production averaged 2.614 million b/d in October, jumping 5.2% from 2.486 million b/d in September, Brazil's National Petroleum Agency, or ANP, said late Monday. October's output, however, was down 0.5% from 2.627 million b/d in October 2017, the ANP said.

IEA - Based on the latest available energy data, energy-related CO2 emissions in North America, the European Union and other advanced economies in Asia Pacific grew, as higher oil and gas use more than offset declining coal consumption. As a result, the IEA expects CO2 emissions in these economies to increase by around 0.5% in 2018.

REUTERS - Gas production at the earthquake-prone Groningen field will drop by at least 75 percent in the next five years, ahead of schedule towards the projected end of extraction.

IMF - The Japanese economy is growing above its estimated potential. After a temporary soft patch early in the year, domestic demand recovered in the second quarter. With external demand expected to remain supportive, and despite recent natural disasters, real GDP growth is projected to remain above trend in 2018 at 1.1 percent.

IMF - Kazakhstan's growth was strong in the first half of 2018 at 4.2 percent, led by manufacturing, oil, and a recovery of credit growth. With base effects from high growth in late 2017, the team forecasts growth of 3.7 percent in 2018, and as oil production gains moderate, 3.1 percent in 2019.

PLATTS - Argentina's state-run energy company YPF and Malaysia's Petronas agreed Tuesday to invest $2.3 billion in a shale oil project in Vaca Muerta, with a target of reaching 60,000 b/d of oil equivalent by 2022.

SHELL - Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell) announces plans to set short-term targets as part of a long-term ambition to reduce the Net Carbon Footprint of its energy products. The company plans to link these targets to executive remuneration, subject to shareholder approval.