Despite slower regional and global growth, real GDP grew 3.3 percent in 2019 and is forecast to grow by 3.4 in 2020 led by internal demand. Sustained immigration, remittances, and accommodative monetary and credit conditions are expected to continue supporting private domestic demand, including rising investment. Notwithstanding growth resilience, the labor market remained weak in 2019.

URUGUAY'S GDP growth is expected to rebound from an estimated 0.5 percent in 2019 to 2.1 percent in 2020 and 2.5 percent in 2021

Petrobras highlights of the 2019 result: - Adjusted EBITDA was US$ 32.7billion, an increase of 3.8% in relation to 2018, due to lower production costs and lower contingencies. - Net income reached US$ 10.2 billion, mainly reflecting gains with asset sales. - The adjusted net debt / LTM Adjusted EBITDA ratio increased to 2.41x, applying the effects of IFRS 16, from 2.20x in 2018. Once these effects were eliminated, the index would have been 1.95x. - The remuneration to shareholders in the form of dividends and interest on capital was R$ 10.6 billion, equivalent to R$ 0.73 per common andR$ 0.92 per preferred share in circulation.

The US on Tuesday imposed sanctions on Rosneft Trading SA, the Geneva-based subsidiary of the Russian state oil company, for supporting Venezuela's oil sector by continuing to trade with sanctions-hit PDVSA

The sanctions announced by the U.S. Treasury Department against Rosneft’s subsidiary RTSA and its Chairman are illegal, unjustified, and an act of legal abuse.

Brazil’s investment needs in energy infrastructure over the next ten years will reach BRL2,340bn (US$538bn)

US imports of unfinished oils from Russia averaged 472,000 b/d in November, the most since May 2013, when the same amount of unfinished oils was imported from Russia.

Brent rose 24 cents, or 0.4%, to $55.17 a barrel, WTI were up 15 cents, or 0.3%, at $51.10 a barrel,

The US was prepared to sanction Rosneft if it continued to trade crude oil and fuel with PDVSA, but analysts said those sanctions have yet to be imposed because of the expected impact they may have on the global oil market.

Brazil and the USA have signed agreements on extending the operation and generating capacity of Angra unit 1 and on cooperation in new nuclear technologies.

The big annual boost in Saudi shipments followed a new marketing strategy by state-run Aramco, which signed at least two new supply pacts with private refiners in China that came into the market from late 2018. Previously, Saudi Aramco had only dealt with China’s state refiners in long-term contracts.

Following the Jan. 28, 2019 ban on U.S. firms importing Venezuelan crude, the United States has not followed through on threats to extend the sanctions to any foreign company doing business with PDVSA, as it seeks to oust socialist Maduro.

In December 2019, oil production was 3.106 million b/d, exceeding the record recorded in the previous month by 0.52% and that of Dec. 2018 production by 15.44%. Natural gas production also surpassed the previous month's record, registering an increase of 0.87% and reaching an average of 137.8 million cu m/day. The number was up 21.19% year-over-year.

The waiver allows Chevron, Halliburton, Schlumberger, Baker Hughes and Weatherford International to continue certain work with PDVSA, outside of US sanctions.

In the first nine months of 2019, US thermal exports were more than 10 million mt below the year-ago period's total, and vessel tracking data show October exports are expected to come in close to September levels.