PLATTS - Iraqi crude oil production hit its highest in 13 months in July of 4.46 million b/d, the country's State Oil Marketing Organization said Thursday.

BAKER HUGHES A GE - The worldwide rig count for July 2018 was 2,251, up 99 from the 2,152 counted in June 2018, and up 141 from the 2,110 counted in July 2017.

SHANA - The CEO of Pars Oil and Gas Company (POGC) said Iran's natural gas production from the supergiant South Pars Gas Field will increase by 100 million cubic meters by the end of the current calendar year to Mach 2019.

BAKER HUGHES A GE - U.S. Rig Count is down 4 rigs from last week to 1,044, with oil rigs down 2 to 859, gas rigs down 3 to 183, and miscellaneous rigs up 1 to 2. Canada Rig Count is unchanged from last week at 223 rigs, with oil rigs down 2 to 152 and gas rigs up 2 to 71.

PLATTS - Russia's July crude oil and condensate output rose 1.4% month on month to 11.215 million b/d, in line with Russia's pledge in late June to boost output under the deal with OPEC and other non-OPEC producers, preliminary data by the Central Dispatching Unit, the statistical arm of the energy ministry, showed Thursday.

PLATTS - Kuwait's crude oil production currently stands at 2.8 million b/d, the country's oil minister Bakheet al-Rashidi said Wednesday, up about 90,000 b/d from June levels.

NOBLE - Noble Corporation plc (NYSE: NE, the Company) reported a net loss attributable to the Company for the three months ended June 30, 2018 of $628 million, or $2.55 per diluted share, on revenues of $258 million. The results included a non-cash charge totaling $793 million, or $2.06 per diluted share, ($507 million, net of tax and noncontrolling interests) relating to the impairment of three rigs and certain capital spares. Excluding the non-cash charge, the Company's net loss attributable to Noble Corporation for the three months ended June 30, 2018 would have been $121 million, or $0.49 per diluted share.

PLATTS - "We [expect] that some 200,000-250,000 b/d, out of the 300,000 b/d cut under the production cut deal, will be restored [this month]," Novak said on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, according to a statement by the ministry's press office.

REUTERS - The new supply could enlarge Brazil’s market share in China as buyers there cut oil imports from the United States following Beijing’s announcement it would impose tariffs on U.S. crude in retaliation against similar moves by Washington.

WEATHERFORD - Weatherford’s non-GAAP net loss for the second quarter of 2018, which excludes unusual charges and credits, was $156 million, or $0.16, diluted loss per share. This compares to a $188 million non-GAAP net loss in the prior quarter, or $0.19 diluted loss per share, and a $282 million non-GAAP net loss for the second quarter of 2017, or $0.28 diluted loss per share.

BAKER HUGHES A GE - U.S. Rig Count is up 2 rigs from last week to 1,048, with oil up 3 to 861, gas rigs down 1 to 186, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 1. Canada Rig Count is up 12 rigs from last week to 223, with oil rigs up 12 to 154 and gas rigs unchanged at 69.

EIA - Capital expenditures for these 46 companies totaled almost $19 billion in the first quarter of 2018, a year-over-year increase of nearly $2 billion (10%). Most of these companies have announced that they expect to increase full-year 2018 capital expenditures from 2017 levels.

BP - “This is a transformational acquisition for our Lower 48 business, a major step in delivering our Upstream strategy and a world-class addition to BP’s distinctive portfolio. Given our confidence in BP’s future – further bolstered by additional earnings and cash flow from this deal – we are increasing the dividend, reflecting our long-standing commitment to growing distributions to shareholders.”

NOV VARCO - National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (NYSE: NOV) reported second quarter 2018 net income of $24 million, or $0.06 per diluted share. Revenues for the second quarter were $2.11 billion, an increase of 17 percent compared to the first quarter of 2018 and an increase of 20 percent from the second quarter of 2017. Operating profit for the second quarter of 2018 was $52 million, or 2.5 percent of sales, and Adjusted EBITDA (operating profit excluding depreciation, amortization, and other items) was $226 million, or 10.7 percent of sales.

SHANA - A non-disclosure agreement was signed last year between Iran's OIEC and Russia's Gazprom Neft for the development of the Azar and Changuleh oil fields. The agreement was endorsed by the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC).