U.S. BEA - Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 4.2 percent in the second quarter of 2018, according to the "second" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the first quarter, real GDP increased 2.2 percent.

PETROCHINA - Profit from operations was RMB65.891 billion, representing an increase of 80.6% compared to the same period in 2017. Net profit attributable to owners of the Company was RMB27.088 billion, representing an increase of 113.7% compared to the same period in 2017. Basic earnings per share was RMB0.148, representing an increase of RMB0.079 compared to the same period in 2017.

PLATTS - Oil production at Kazakhstan's giant Kashagan field could be as high as 470,000 b/d under its first development phase, the head of the consortium overseeing the field, Brune Jardin, has said, while also noting plans for a big maintenance shutdown, and for development of nearby fields with China's CMOC.

ЭКСПОРТ УГЛЯ ИЗ РОССИИ СОСТАВИТ 200 МЛН. Т.

REUTERS - International Brent crude oil futures LCOc1 were at $75.69 per barrel at 0654 GMT, down 26 cents, or 0.3 percent, from their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 were down 12 cents, or 0.2 percent, at $68.41 a barrel.

МИНЭНЕРГО РОССИИ - Президент добавил, что по итогам 2017 года Россия подтвердила свой статус одного из лидеров глобального энергетического рынка: «Мы заняли первое место в мире по объему добычи нефти, второе – по добыче газа. Россия входит в число ведущих стран по объему выработки электроэнергии и добыче угля: по электроэнергии – на четвертом месте, по углю – шестое место в мире». По словам Владимира Путина, в прошлом году сумма инвестиций в отрасли выросла на 10 процентов и составила 3,5 триллиона рублей.

МИНЭНЕРГО РОССИИ - «В ноябре прошлого года Президентом было дано поручение разработать механизм привлечения инвестиций в модернизацию теплоэнергетики, в первую очередь, тепловых электростанций. Большая работа была проведена, и сегодня на комиссии были рассмотрены предложения по соответствующему механизму привлечения инвестиций. Для повышения эффективности нужны инвестиции, которые энергетические компании также готовы вложить, речь идет об инвестициях около 1,5 трлн рублей», - сказал Министр.

ГАЗПРОМ - «Газпром» является мировым лидером по разведанным запасам природного газа (категорий А+В1+С1) — 35,4 трлн куб. м по состоянию на 31 декабря 2017 года.

U.S. EIA - The South China Sea is a major trade route for crude oil, and in 2016, more than 30% of global maritime crude oil trade, or about 15 million barrels per day (b/d), passed through the South China Sea.

REUTERS - Iran’s crude oil and condensate exports in August are set to drop below 70 million barrels for the first time since April 2017, well ahead of the Nov. 4 start date for a second round of U.S. economic sanctions.

ET - Russia will work with India for localisation of equipment for nuclear power plants: Andrey Shevlyakov, CEO, Rosatom South Asia

UNIAN - "If we don't pay, this will mean inflation, uncontrolled price rises for everything, depreciation of the national currency, halt of industrial production, and so on... And that's why we are adopting a strategy to manage the debt so as to protect people from any negative consequences as much as possible. We spend UAH 130 billion annually on debt servicing alone," Groysman said.

REUTERS - Norway’s 2018 oil production is so far coming below the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s forecasts due to a couple of unplanned offshore shutdowns, though Nyland cautioned the situation may turn before the end of the year.

WNN - A draft updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) approved by South Africa's cabinet on 22 August sees the country's nuclear capacity remaining at its current 1830 MWe over the period to 2030. Energy Minister Jeff Radebe yesterday released the plan for public comment.

FT - Saudi Arabia has cut the length of time that its state energy company has exclusive rights to the kingdom’s vast oil and gasfields, raising questions about Saudi Aramco’s long-term production and revealing a power struggle between the company and the government.