PLATTS - "It is too early to say [what the impact of the US decision on the oil market will be]. In any case, we have all the tools that could be used to balance the market," Novak said, commenting on the potential impact of the move on the oil markets.

BLOOMBERG - Europe and China will be comparable in significance as importing regions in the coming years, Cheniere Energy Inc. said, citing data from Wood Mackenzie Ltd. That follows “absolutely phenomenal” growth in China last year, Andrew Walker, vice president for strategy at the company that pioneered the transformation of the U.S. shale boom into global exports, said in Amsterdam.

WNN - Speaking on the opening day of the conference being held this week in Sochi, Russia, Rising said nuclear energy had a vital role to play in the global energy mix, providing a strong foundation of reliable and low-carbon generation to help support more variable clean energy generation options.

ROSATOM - “Signing the contract opens a new chapter in the partnership between Russia and Zambia. In the nearest future, we plan to start extensive practical works, including engineering surveys at the site of the centre, assessment of nuclear infrastructure and subsequent development plan in accordance with IAEA recommendations as well as global and Russian best practice. Construction of the center will enable the Republic of Zambia to become one of the leading players in nuclear technologies application in the Central and Southern African region”.

ROSNEFT - Financial results for 1Q 2018 - Revenue growth by 22% to RUB 1.72 trln in 1Q 2018 - EBITDA increase by 15.6% up to RUB 385 bln in 1Q 2018 - Net income jumps by more than by 7 times to RUB 81 bln - Considerable improvement in free cash flow to RUB 142 bln - Short-term financial liabilities cut by 49%

FT - “Any action will be taken in co-ordination with other producers,” the person said on Wednesday, adding that Saudi Arabia was already in talks with Russia and other producers, including the UAE.

LUKOIL - LUKOIL and the Basra Oil Company signed a Development Plan of West Qurna-2 field that provides for an oil production plateau of 800 thousand barrels per day. According to the Plan, the oil production of 480 thousand barrels per day will be reached in 2020 and 800 thousand barrels per day is expected in 2025.

PLATTS - Saudi Arabia's energy minister Khalid al-Falih said Wednesday that the country would work closely with OPEC as well as non-OPEC producers to mitigate the impact of any shortages that might arise following the US' decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal.

OGJ - “I frankly don’t see it as a strategy,” Mitrova admitted. “When we look at Russia’s economy, energy is an important part. Hydrocarbons still represent the biggest share of its federal budget, but their share has dropped from 50% to 40%. There is no consistent long-term plan, and many decisions are driven by short-term adaptations. There is no clear consensus.”

REUTERS - Qatar is taking a nearly 19 percent stake in Rosneft (ROSN.MM), rescuing the Russian oil major from its stalled deal to sell a major stake to China’s CEFC.

PLATTS - On Wednesday the Central Dispatching Unit said Russia produced 44.878 million mt of liquids in April. This is equivalent to around 10.965 million b/d, using Platts conversion rate of 7.33 barrels per metric ton. This indicates Russia's compliance was 94%, at 282,000 b/d below the October 2016 level of 11.247 million b/d.

ROSATOM - On 28 April, 2018, the world's only floating nuclear power unit (FPU) ‘Academik Lomonosov’ has left the territory of Baltiyskiy Zavod in St. Petersburg, where its construction had been carried out since 2009, and headed to its base in Chukotka.

REUTERS - Schlumberger had initially planned to buy 51 percent in EDC, but decided to scale down its bid. The deal has faced difficulties as relations between Russia and the United States have deteriorated.

GAZPROM - Total sales (net of excise tax, VAT and customs duties) increased by RUB 435,092 million, or 7 %, to RUB 6,546,143 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase in sales was mainly driven by an increase in sales of refined products and crude oil.

GAZPROM - According to estimates, Russian gas exports to Austria between January 1 and April 24 exceeded the amount exported in the same period of last year by 79.2 per cent, with 4.2 billion cubic meters of gas delivered to consumers.