PLATTS - Nigeria's oil production rebounded to 2.07 million b/d in April this year, after it slipped to 2.02 million b/d in the preceding month, according to estimates released Thursday by the oil ministry.

IMF - the region remains the main engine of global growth, accounting for more than 60 per cent of the global growth. Regional output is projected to grow by 5.6 per cent in 2018 and 2019; 5.6 per cent is about 0.1 percentage point higher than we expected in last October, supported by trade as well as accommodative global financial conditions.

IMF - Sub-Saharan Africa is set to enjoy a modest growth uptick, and decisive policies are needed to both reduce vulnerabilities and raise medium-term growth prospects. Average growth in the region is projected to rise from 2.8 percent in 2017 to 3.4 percent in 2018,

IMF - growth for the region to increase from 1.3 percent in 2017 to 2 percent in 2018. For 2019 growth to continue to pick up to 2.8 percent.

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.

OGJ - Bahrain plans to raise $1 billion for energy investments in a fund the government calls unique among Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

PENEWS - Blackstone Group LP is planning a first close this quarter on more than half of the roughly $4.5 billion it seeks for its third energy fund, according to a person familiar with the matter. The New York firm is raising the pool three years after it sealed $4.5 billion for its previous energy fund, people said.

AOG - The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has unveiled plans to invest $45bn alongside partners, over the next five years, to become a leading global downstream player.

AOG - Shell Gas & Power Developments has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Oman’s government to cover proposed energy development projects in Oman. The agreement covers upstream gas exploration and development, gas-to-liquids (GTL), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable energies.

REUTERS - Brent crude futures LCOc1 were at $76.79 per barrel at 0648 GMT, down 33 cents, or 0.4 percent, from their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $70.44 a barrel, down 26 cents, or 0.3 percent.

EIA - Crude oil production from the major US onshore regions is forecast to increase 144,000 b/d month-over-month in June from 7,034 to 7,178 thousand barrels/day , gas production to increase 1,092 million cubic feet/day from 67,027 to 68,119 million cubic feet/day .

WNN - During last year's visit, Boonabantu noted that Uganda's Vision 2040 roadmap incorporated the development of nuclear energy as part of the country's future energy mix. "Plans have been made in Uganda to have clean and safe energy generation sources with nuclear being one of them," she said. The country, she added, welcomes partners to help construct, train and develop nuclear energy in line with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards.

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%

МИНЭНЕРГО РОССИИ - Стороны обсудили состояние и перспективы взаимодействия в энергетической сфере как по линии поставок энергоресурсов и реализации инфраструктурных объектов, так и сотрудничества на уровне коммерческих предприятий. «Целый ряд германских энергетических концернов активно и успешно ведет свою деятельность с российскими партнерами», - сказал Александр Новак.

МИНЭНЕРГО РОССИИ - Двусторонний диалог в таком формате возобновился спустя пять лет. При этом сотрудничество в области ТЭК играет значимую роль в торгово-экономических отношениях России и Нидерландов. Совместно реализуются значимые для обеих стран энергетические проекты - «Турецкий поток», «Сахалин – 2», «Северный поток 2», «Балтийский СПГ», «Каспийский трубопроводный консорциум», проект разработки Салымских месторождений, проект локализации производства ветроэнергетических установок в России.

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”.

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.

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 - Nigerian National Petroleum Corp., the Abuja-based behemoth that dominates the OPEC member’s energy industry, has made losses for at least the last three years,

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.