ARAB NEWS - The Government remains committed to the IPO of Saudi Aramco at a time of its own choosing when conditions are optimum. This timing will depend on multiple factors, including favorable market conditions, and a downstream acquisition which the Company will pursue in the next few months, as directed by its Board of Directors.

STATISTICS NORWAY - Total investments in oil and gas activity in 2019, including pipeline transportation, are estimated at NOK 165.1 billion, which is 6.2 per cent higher than estimated in the previous quarter. The estimate for 2018 is NOK 156 billion, which equals the estimate given in the previous quarter.

CNOOC - In the first half of 2018, the Company maintained a healthy profitability and a sound financial position. Oil and gas sales reached RMB 90.31 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 20.5%. Net profit reached RMB 25.48 billion, representing a significant increase of 56.8% year-on-year (“YoY”). The Company’s average realized oil price was US$ 67.36 per barrel, representing an increase of 33.6% YoY. The average realized natural gas price increased by 13.0% YoY to US$ 6.42 per thousand cubic feet. Despite the international oil prices rebound and industry costs inflation, the Company maintained a competitive all-in cost of US$ 31.83/BOE during the first half of the year.

REUTERS - Brent crude oil futures LCOc1 were at $72.90 per barrel at 0653 GMT, up 27 cents, or 0.37 percent, from their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 were up 27 cents, or 0.41 percent, at $66.11 per barrel.

REUTERS - Australian oil and gas firm Santos Ltd said on Wednesday it has agreed to buy privately held Quadrant Energy for at least $2.15 billion, bagging access to what may be the biggest oil find off Western Australia in over two decades.

REUTERS - Brent crude futures, a benchmark for international oil prices, were at $72.11 per barrel at 0803 GMT, up 28 cents. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 3 cents at $65.94 per barrel.

МИНФИН РОССИИ - Средняя цена на нефть Urals за период мониторинга с 15 июля по 14 августа 2018 года составила $ 71,05341 за баррель, или $ 518,7 за тонну. Согласно расчетам Минфина России, экспортная пошлина на нефть в РФ с 1 сентября 2018 года понизится на $ 5,4 и составит $ 130 за тонну.

U.S. API - The American Petroleum Institute’s latest monthly statistical report shows the U.S. set a record for the production of natural gas liquids (NGL) last month producing 4.4 million barrels per day (mb/d). July also saw the U.S. tie its record for crude oil production at 10.7 mb/d.

SAUDI ARAMCO - 2017 highlights: Produced an average of 10.2 million barrels per day of crude oil including condensate Increased amount of natural gas supplied for fourth straight year, to an average of 8.7 billion standard cubic feet per day Crude oil exports averaged 6.9 million barrels per day

REUTERS - Brent crude oil futures LCOc1 were down 3 cents at $71.40 a barrel by 00229 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 dropped 1 cent to $65.45 a barrel.

МИНЭНЕРГО РОССИИ - «Если рассмотреть Конвенцию через призму энергетического сотрудничества прикаспийских государств, можно отметить, что она открывает большие перспективы для расширения и углубления взаимовыгодного сотрудничества в сфере ТЭК», - сказал глава российского энергетического ведомства.

PLATTS - South Korea's crude oil imports from Iran halved in July from a year earlier in the wake of the reimposition of US sanctions, according to preliminary data released by the Korea Customs Service Thursday.

NPD - Preliminary production figures for July 2018 show an average daily production of 1 911 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate, which is an increase of 64 000 barrels per day compared to June.

GAZPROM NEFT - For the first six months of 2018 Gazprom Neft achieved revenue** growth of 24.4% year-on-year, at one trillion, 137.7 billion rubles (RUB1,137,700,000,000). The Company achieved a 49.8% year-on-year increase in adjusted EBITDA, to RUB368.2 billion. This performance reflected positive market conditions for oil and oil products, production growth at the Company’s new projects, and effective management initiatives. Net profit attributable to Gazprom Neft PJSC shareholders grew 49.6% year on year, to RUB166.4 billion. Growth in the Company’s operating cash flow, as well as the completion of key infrastructure investments at new upstream projects, delivered positive free cash flow of RUB47.5 billion for 1H 2018.

REUTERS - Front-month Brent crude oil futures LCOc1 were at $72.34 per barrel at 0648 GMT, down by 12 cents, or 0.2 percent, from their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 were down 23 cents, or 0.3 percent, at $66.81 per barrel.