March 2018

EIA - Exports grew to 1.1 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2017, or 527,000 b/d (89%) more than exports in 2016, in the second full year of unrestricted U.S. crude oil exports. This is the largest single year-over-year increase of a petroleum (crude oil and petroleum products) export since 1920.

EXXONMOBIL - Aggressive Growth Plans to More than Double Earnings - Earnings and cash flow from operations projected to approximately double by 2025 - Strongest investment opportunities in two decades to drive results, improve returns - Profitable production growth with low-cost-of-supply tight oil, liquefied natural gas and deepwater

WNN - China will "steadily promote" the development of nuclear power this year, according to a plan released by the country's National Energy Administration (NEA). The plan calls for five new nuclear power reactors to be brought online in 2018 and construction to be started on a further six to eight units.

WNN - India is planning a tenfold increase in uranium production over the next 15 years, Minister of State Jitendra Singh told the country's parliament yesterday. State company Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) has outlined expansion plans to meet the Department of Atomic Energy's (DAE) vision of achieving self-sufficiency in uranium production.

WNN - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is this week discussing the prospect of closer economic and political ties, including nuclear energy projects, in a number of African countries. Lavrov has so far visited Angola, Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, and will complete his trip to the region in Ethiopia.

WNN - Nuclear energy has faced serious challenges in recent years because of several factors: competition from low gas prices, subsidised renewables and slow growth in electricity demand in certain markets. But because of several powerful forces we are seeing signs that this year nuclear energy will come roaring back.

BEA - The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $56.6 billion in January, up $2.7 billion from $53.9 billion in December, revised.

REUTERS - Brent crude futures were at $65.37 per barrel at 0149 GMT, down 42 cents, or 0.6 percent from their previous close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $62.16 a barrel, down 44 cents, or 0.7 percent.

МИНЭНЕРГО РОССИИ - Александр Новак отметил, что одним из ключевых факторов углубления торгово-экономического сотрудничества является активная работа в инвестиционной и финансовой сферах. "Считаю необходимым активизировать работу в данном направлении с тем, чтобы обеспечить увеличение объемов торговли в наших национальных валютах, а также еще более упростить процедуры расчета», - сказал глава российского энергетического ведомства.

МИНЭНЕРГО РОССИИ - В ходе встречи стороны обсудили сотрудничество в инвестиционной сфере. Министр энергетики отметил подписание в январе 2018 года соглашения между «Сауди Арамко», концерном «Тоталь», российской газоперерабатывающей и нефтехимической компанией «СИБУР» и РФПИ о совместных инвестициях в строительство нефтехимического комплекса на территории Саудовской Аравии. Проект предполагает инвестиции на сумму более $1 млрд.