AN - US Energy Secretary Rick Perry said on Tuesday he had discussed his country’s sanctions against Iran with Iraqi energy officials and signalled an intention to step up US private sector investment in Iraq.

PLATTS - The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote Tuesday on a non-binding resolution expressing opposition to the completion of the 55 Bcm/year Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany.

U.S. EIA - EIA projects that U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity will reach 8.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) by the end of 2019, making it the third largest in the world behind Australia and Qatar. Currently, U.S. LNG export capacity stands at 3.6 Bcf/d, and it is expected to end the year at 4.9 Bcf/d as two new liquefaction units (called trains) become operational.

CONOCOPHILLIPS - ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) announced its 2019 capital expenditure budget and operating plan. The operating plan reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to free cash flow generation, differentiated payout to shareholders and superior financial returns through business cycles.

U.S. EIA - On November 23, the natural gas spot price at the Henry Hub in Louisiana was $4.70 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), the highest price since a temporary spike in January 2018, and before that, the highest price since June 2014.

U.S. BLS - Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 155,000 in November, and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.7 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Job gains occurred in health care, in manufacturing, and in transportation and warehousing.

BHGE - U.S. Rig Count is down 1 rig from last week to 1,075, with oil rigs down 10 to 877 and gas rigs up 9 to 198. Canada Rig Count is down 13 rigs from last week to 186, with oil rigs down 17 to 102 and gas rigs up 4 to 84.

U.S. BEA - The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced that the goods and services deficit was $55.5 billion in October, up $0.9 billion from $54.6 billion in September,

U.S. EIA - Crude oil production increases 1.1% in September from 11,346 to 11,475 thousand barrels/day , gas production increases 1.8% from 102,659 to 104,461 million cubic feet/day .

U.S. EIA - In September 2018, for the 17th consecutive month, dry natural gas production increased year to year for the month. The preliminary level for dry natural gas production in September 2018 was 2,590 billion cubic feet (Bcf), or 86.3 Bcf/d. This level was 10.5 Bcf/d (13.8%) higher than the September 2017 level of 75.8 Bcf/d.

BHGE - U.S. Rig Count is down 3 rigs from last week to 1,076, with oil rigs up 2 to 887 and gas rigs down 5 to 189. Canada Rig Count is down 5 rigs from last week to 199, with oil rigs down 5 to 119 and gas rigs unchanged at 80.

REUTERS - Germany is still committed to the NordStream 2 pipeline, which will allow Russia to bypass Ukraine in transporting gas to Europe, despite escalating tension in the region, a government spokesman in Berlin said on Wednesday.

REUTERS - The United States has been pressing Europe to cut its reliance on cheap Russian gas and buy much more expensive U.S. LNG instead, which many European countries, including industrial heavyweight Germany, have so far resisted.

U.S. EIA - Proved reserves of crude oil in the United States increased 19.5% (6.4 billion barrels) to 39.2 billion barrels at Year-End 2017, setting a new U.S. record for crude oil proved reserves. The previous record was 39.0 billion barrels set in 1970. Proved reserves of natural gas increased by 123.2 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) (36.1%) to 464.3 Tcf at year-end 2017—a new U.S. record for total natural gas proved reserves. The previous U.S. record was 388.8 Tcf, set in 2014.

U.S. BEA - Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 3.5 percent in the third quarter of 2018, according to the "second" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the second quarter, real GDP increased 4.2 percent.