PLATTS - The Russian energy ministry said there are many pilot projects introducing blockchain to Russia's energy sector in the development and discussion stage, which could have a "potentially significant" impact on optimizing oil and gas companies' costs.

МИНЭНЕРГО РОССИИ - цель соглашения - баланс спроса и предложения на рынке - может быть достигнута, начиная с третьего или четвертого квартала этого года. «Нужно смотреть, как будет развиваться ситуация весной и в летний период во время роста спроса», - добавил Александр Новак.

Oil production and prices will up

REUTERS - U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 were at $63.69 a barrel at 0744 GMT, up 15 cents, or 0.2 percent, from their previous close. Brent crude futures LCOc1 were at $67.56 per barrel, up 14 cents, or 0.2 percent.

BEA - The U.S. current-account deficit increased to $128.2 billion (preliminary) in the fourth quarter of 2017 from $101.5 billion (revised) in the third quarter, according to statistics released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The deficit was 2.6 percent of current- dollar gross domestic product (GDP) in the fourth quarter, up from 2.1 percent in the third quarter.

GAZPROM - Gazprom continues to implement a number of strategic projects in the west. This work is key to the long-term development of Russia’s Unified Gas Supply System (UGSS) and the provision of reliable gas supplies to consumers in the European part of the country and the traditional European markets.

NPD - Preliminary production figures for February 2018 show an average daily production of 1 944 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate, which is a decrease of 83 000 barrels per day compared to January.

AOG - China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the world’s third largest oil company, has been awarded stakes in two of Abu Dhabi’s offshore concession areas following the signing of agreements with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

WNN - Asia needs nuclear energy to meet its economic, energy and environmental goals, but such plans are still in the development phase in the South East region of the continent, Agneta Rising, director general of World Nuclear Association, said.

SHELL - Shell reiterated its expectation of $6-7 billion annual organic free cash flow from Downstream by 2020, at $60 per barrel (real terms 2016) and mid-cycle Downstream conditions, with $9-12 billion expected by 2025. The company plans to invest $7-9 billion a year across Downstream, and to deliver a return on average capital employed (ROACE) above 15%.

FRB - In view of realized and expected labor market conditions and inflation, the Committee decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 percent. The stance of monetary policy remains accommodative, thereby supporting strong labor market conditions and a sustained return to 2 percent inflation.

OGJ - “It’s at a critical point; $150 billion of new infrastructure will be needed domestically. With all the growth in the Permian, there’s not capacity to ship gas to Louisiana,” Hochstein said. “If governments in both the US and Europe aren’t willing to put infrastructure in place, real progress won’t be made.”

REUTERS - U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 were at $64.99 a barrel at 0405 GMT, up 69 cents, or 1.1 percent, from their previous close. Brent crude futures LCOc1 were at $69.54 per barrel, up 63 cents, or 0.9 percent. For the week, Brent was set for a gain of about 5 percent, its strongest showing since July last year, while WTI was up about 4.3 percent.

BAKER HUGHES A GE - U.S. Rig Count is up 5 rigs from last week to 995, with oil rigs up 4 to 804, gas rigs up 1 to 190, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 1. Canada Rig Count is down 58 rigs from last week to 161, with oil rigs down 51 to 93, gas rigs down 7 to 68, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 0.

IAEA - “Nuclear technology helps countries to produce more food, generate more electricity, treat diseases such as cancer, manage water supplies, protect the seas and oceans and respond to climate change — and much more,”

WNN - Both houses of the US Congress have approved an omnibus appropriations bill including USD1.2 billion for nuclear energy. The bill will see the suspension of sales by the Department of Energy (DOE) of surplus uranium to pay for decommissioning work at the former Portsmouth uranium enrichment plant.

МИНЭНЕРГО РОССИИ - Александр Новак сообщил, что российский ТЭК сохранил лидирующую роль как в экономике страны, так и на международной арене. «В прошлом году мы вышли на 546,8 млн тонн добычи нефти, 691 млрд куб м газа. Динамика добычи угля также демонстрирует тенденцию к росту. » - сказал Министр.

АЛЕКСАНДР НОВАК: ДОБЫЧА НЕФТИ, ГАЗА И УГЛЯ ВЫРОСЛА, ДОХОДЫ РОССИИ ВЫРОСЛИ

OPEC - Participating OPEC and non-OPEC producing countries have set a new record in February with their voluntary production adjustments, achieving a level of 138%, according to the OPEC-non-OPEC Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC).

BLOOMBERG - Oil’s recovery to almost $70 a barrel hasn’t been sufficient to stimulate the return of enough investment in the sector, according to Saudi Arabia’s energy minister.