Exxon Mobil Corp. and other energy companies have joined President Donald Trump in expressing concerns over a bill to toughen sanctions on Russia, arguing that it could shut down oil and gas projects around the world that involve Russian partners.

Qatar mounted what appeared to be a show of strength on Tuesday, when the state-owned Qatar Petroleum announced plans to raise liquefied natural gas capacity by 30 percent. Its immediate effect will be to worsen a glut on the LNG market where Australia, the United States and Russia vie.

General Electric Co. closed its deal to combine its long-suffering energy business with Baker Hughes Inc. on Monday, creating one of the largest companies in the oil-field services industry.

Spain’s Repsol has agreed to establish a joint venture with Russian oil company Gazprom Neft, in the latest move by a European oil and gas company to deepen co-operation with Russia despite western sanctions targeting the country’s energy sector.

The UK's first US LNG cargo will arrive at the Isle of Grain terminal on around July 8, according to shipping sources.

Brent crude futures had climbed 13 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $48.90 per barrel by 0643 GMT, after jumping 5.2 percent last week in their first weekly gain in six weeks. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 17 cents, or 0.4 percent, to $46.21 per barrel, adding to last week's 7-percent gain.

Natural gas net imports (imports minus exports) set a record low of 685 billion cubic feet (Bcf) in 2016, continuing a decline for the 9th consecutive year. In recent years both U.S. natural gas production and consumption have increased, although production has grown slightly faster, reducing the reliance on natural gas imports and lowering domestic prices.

The Indian consortium led by the state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is willing to spend as much as $11bn to develop the giant Iranian natural gas field it discovered in 2008.

Russia’s state-controlled oil company is in discussions with Iraqi Kurdistan over helping it develop oilfields in disputed territory at the heart of tensions with Baghdad, in a move that pitches Moscow into one of Iraq’s oldest faultlines.

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 1.4 percent in the first quarter of 2017 , according to the "third" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the fourth quarter of 2016, real GDP increased 2.1 percent.

Germany raised the proportion of its power produced by renewable energy to 35 percent in the first half of 2017 from 33 percent the previous year, according to the BEE renewable energy association.

U.S. Rig Count is up 509 rigs from last year's count of 431, with oil rigs up 415, gas rigs up 95, and miscellaneous rigs down 1 to 0. Canadian Rig Count is up 113 rigs from last year's count of 76, with oil rigs up 77, gas rigs up 37, and miscellaneous rigs down 1 to 0.

The August light, sweet crude contract on NYMEX gained 50¢ on June 28 to settle at $44.74/bbl. The September contract was up 50¢ to close at $44.99/bbl. The NYMEX natural gas price for July gained 3¢ to a rounded $3.07/MMbtu. The Henry Hub cash gas price also gained 3¢ to $3.01/MMbtu. The Brent crude contract for August on London’s ICE increased 66¢ to $47.31/bbl while the September contract climbed 62¢ to $47.54/bbl. The July gas oil contract gained $4.25 to $427.50/tonne. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ basket of crudes on June 28 was $44.48/bbl, up 25¢.

Near-curve contracts are seen edging higher on crude gains. On the spot, the Dutch TTF day-ahead was trading at Eur15.30/MWh, down 2.5 euro cent/MWh from Wednesday's close. German prices were also seen ticking down, with the NCG spot contract down 15 euro cent at Eur15.65/MWh, while the GASPOOL spot was 2.5 euro cent lower at Eur15.40/MWh.

Rosneft and Beijing Gas Group Company Limited ("Beijing Gas") closed the deal for sale and purchase of 20% shares in Verkhnechonskneftegaz (a Rosneft subsidiary). The price of purchased 20% stake amounted to around USD 1.1bln.