In view of realized and expected labor market conditions and inflation, the Committee decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 3/4 to 1 percent. The stance of monetary policy remains accommodative, thereby supporting some further strengthening in labor market conditions and a sustained return to 2 percent inflation.

TESCO reported a U.S. GAAP net loss of $20.1 million, or $(0.43) per diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2016. Adjusted net loss for the quarter was $13.3 million, or $(0.28) per share, excluding special items, consisting primarily of several charges related to receivables and restructuring costs. This compares to a U.S. GAAP net loss of $22.1 million, or $(0.48) per diluted share in the third quarter of 2016, and a U.S. GAAP net loss of $78.1 million, or $(2.00) per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2015. Adjusted net loss in the third quarter of 2016 was $17.3 million, or $(0.37) per diluted share, and in the fourth quarter of 2015 was $13.4 million, or $(0.33) per diluted share.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) CLc1 was down 7 cents at $48.33 a barrel, as of 0716 GMT. The contract ended down 9 cents in the previous session after touching its lowest since the end of November at $47.90. Brent crude futures LCOc1 gained 3 cents to $51.32 a barrel, having settled down 2 cents on Monday after dipping as low as $50.85.

April's U.S. oil production will up 109 tbd, gas production will up 562 mcfd.

"It became evident that U.S. shale oil output has become and will remain a new global oil price regulator for the foreseeable future," Rosneft said.

Compliance of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) with an oil output cut exceeded a target, standing at 140% in February.

Pakistan's economy expanded 4.2% in 2016, foreign investment has continued to grow -- attracted by the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project -- and improvements in the country's security front, following the government's efforts to combat terrorism, have also led to economic gains and additional investment.

Trade between the countries fell overall last year as oil prices dropped. Japan's 2.1 trillion yen ($18.6 billion) in imports from Saudi Arabia in 2016, mostly oil and gas, dwarfed its exports of 546.3 billion yen ($4.8 billion).

Rising oil production in the US, which Russia's energy ministry forecasts to grow by 400,000 b/d year on year in 2017, is being monitored, but it should not be considered separate from the global supply and demand balance, he said.

The deeply troubled power industry accounts for almost one-tenth of all bank loans in India, and thus poses a threat to already weakened lenders, according to data from Morgan Stanley. What is more, like so many other industries, the power business is facing significant technological challenges as the cost of solar energy continues falling.

Rosneft and Demiroren Group Companies signed an Agreement on petroleum product supplies during 2018-2020.

U.S. employers hired workers at a robust pace in February, beating expectations, and wages grinded higher, which could give the Federal Reserve the green light to raise interest rates next week despite slowing economic growth.

U.S. Rig Count is up 288 rigs from last year's count of 480, with oil rigs up 231, gas rigs up 57, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged. Canadian Rig Count is up 217 rigs from last year's count of 98, with oil rigs up 152 and gas rigs up 65.

Brent crude oil was up 15 cents at $52.34 a barrel by 0900 GMT, after falling 1.7 percent on Thursday and 5 percent the day before in its biggest percentage decline in a year. U.S. crude oil was up 15 cents at $49.43 a barrel. It fell below $50 on Thursday for the first since December. U.S. crude is on track for a drop of more than 7 percent this week, its biggest weekly fall for five months.

«Северный поток 2», являясь исключительно коммерческим проектом, направлен на повышение надежности энергоснабжения Германии и ЕС и обеспечение дополнительных поставок газа.