Brent crude prices will average $83/barrel in 2015, $18/barrel lower than last month’s outlook for 2015.

OPEC Diplomacy Picks Up With Iraq-to-Libya Chiefs

World chokepoints for maritime transit of oil are a critical part of global energy security. About 63% of the world's oil production moves on maritime routes. The Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca are the world's most important strategic chokepoints by volume of oil transit.

Dispute over Russian gas supplies to Ukraine should be resolved shortly since this country will not survive this winter without Russian gas.

Unseasonably cold temperatures this week led to big increases in heating demand for natural gas from the residential and commercial sectors. Weather forecasters expect the cold to continue into next week, which will likely result in more natural gas consumption.

Two of the biggest oilfield services companies, Halliburton and Baker Hughes, are discussing a merger that would help both companies fend off falling oil prices

Leaders from the G20 group of nations agreed on Sunday to boost flagging global growth, tackle climate change and crack down on tax avoidance but ties between the West and Russia plummeted to a new low over the crisis in Ukraine.

Saudi Arabia’s oil minister broke months of silence on Wednesday to speak publicly about the Gulf nation’s stance on the oil market and dismiss claims that it had triggered a “price war”.

EIA: OPEC’s actions bring huge uncertainty on crude oil price forecast

OPEC Says Output Fell Sharply Amid Saudi Arabia Reduction

Investment in US shale oilfields will fall by a tenth next year – and result in a decline in production – if the oil price continues to trade around $80 a barrel, the world’s energy watchdog has warned.

Oil tumbles to four-year low below $79, awaits OPEC

Africa oil industry refocuses priorities as price falls and setbacks bedevil groups

A growing list of delayed or cancelled projects, seen by some investors as a healthy move by majors to rein in capital spend after a poor history of returns is working its way through corporate earnings; it has already pummelled the share price of some European suppliers seen as financially fragile.

West Texas Intermediate and Brent oils increased after U.S. employment gains exceeded 200,000 for a ninth month and the jobless rate dropped to a six-year low, bolstering the fuel demand outlook.