IMF - Near-term growth prospects remain favorable, although less buoyant than in 2017. Real GDP growth is projected to reach 1.8 percent this year and 1.7 percent in 2019, supported by robust investment and solid consumption.

IMF - Slovakia’s economic performance continues to be favorable, with real per capita GDP growing at the average annual rate of 3 percent over the past five years. Growth has been supported by predominantly domestic demand. Private consumption continued to benefit from strong credit growth, robust job creation, and rising wages, while investment reversed its temporary decline from 2016 that was due to a slow start in the implementation of new EU funds programming period. Unemployment reached a record low of 7.7 percent at end-2017.

PLATTS - China's crude oil imports from the US for July have fallen sharply from June, and are expected to drop even further for August, vessel tracking data showed, as Beijing's tariffs on US crude imports get closer to implementation.

BP - “This is a transformational acquisition for our Lower 48 business, a major step in delivering our Upstream strategy and a world-class addition to BP’s distinctive portfolio. Given our confidence in BP’s future – further bolstered by additional earnings and cash flow from this deal – we are increasing the dividend, reflecting our long-standing commitment to growing distributions to shareholders.”

CONOCOPHILLIPS - ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) reported second-quarter 2018 earnings of $1.6 billion, or $1.39 per share, compared with a second-quarter 2017 loss of $3.4 billion, or ($2.78) per share. Excluding special items, second-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings were $1.3 billion, or $1.09 per share, compared with second-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of $0.2 billion, or $0.14 per share. Special items for the current quarter were primarily driven by an unrealized gain on Cenovus Energy equity and recognition of deferred licensing revenue, partially offset by pension settlement expense.

REUTERS - Brent futures were down 5 cents at $74.49 a barrel by 0319 GMT, after gaining 0.8 percent on Thursday. They are heading for a near 2 percent gain this week, the first weekly increase in four. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were 5 cents lower, at $69.56, after rising nearly 0.5 percent in the previous session. The contract is heading for a 1.3 percent weekly loss, a fourth week of declines.

BAKER HUGHES A GE - U.S. Rig Count is up 2 rigs from last week to 1,048, with oil up 3 to 861, gas rigs down 1 to 186, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 1. Canada Rig Count is up 12 rigs from last week to 223, with oil rigs up 12 to 154 and gas rigs unchanged at 69.

U.S. BEA - Real gross domestic product increased at an annual rate of 4.1 percent in the second quarter of 2018 , according to the "advance" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the first quarter, real GDP increased 2.2 percent.

EXXONMOBIL - Exxon Mobil Corporation announced estimated second quarter 2018 earnings of $4 billion, or $0.92 per share assuming dilution, compared with $3.4 billion a year earlier. Cash flow from operations and asset sales was $8.1 billion, including proceeds associated with asset sales of $307 million. During the quarter, the corporation distributed $3.5 billion in dividends to shareholders. Capital and exploration expenditures were $6.6 billion, up 69 percent from the prior year, reflecting key investments in Brazil, the U.S. Permian Basin and Indonesia.

PLATTS - "We [expect] that some 200,000-250,000 b/d, out of the 300,000 b/d cut under the production cut deal, will be restored [this month]," Novak said on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, according to a statement by the ministry's press office.

CHEVRON - Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) reported earnings of $3.4 billion ($1.78 per share – diluted) for second quarter 2018, compared with $1.5 billion ($0.77 per share – diluted) in the second quarter of 2017. Included in the current quarter was a receivable write-down of $270 million charged to operating expense. Foreign currency effects increased earnings in the 2018 second quarter by $265 million, compared with an increase of $3 million a year earlier.

ENI - Group results Adjusted operating profit: €2.56 billion, up by 152% on a quarterly basis; €4.94 billion in the first half (up by 73% vs. first half of 2017). Adjusted net profit: €0.77 billion, up by 66% q-o-q; €1.74 billion, up by 45% in the first half of 2018. Net profit: €1.25 billion in the second quarter (€2.20 billion in the first half).

NYT - Demand for natural gas — a cleaner-burning fossil fuel than coal or oil — is rising worldwide, and the United States is a growing supplier of liquefied natural gas, or L.N.G. The European Union, meanwhile, wants to diversify its energy supply, which remains somewhat dependent on Russia, with which it has a difficult relationship.

REUTERS - The new supply could enlarge Brazil’s market share in China as buyers there cut oil imports from the United States following Beijing’s announcement it would impose tariffs on U.S. crude in retaliation against similar moves by Washington.

WEATHERFORD - Weatherford’s non-GAAP net loss for the second quarter of 2018, which excludes unusual charges and credits, was $156 million, or $0.16, diluted loss per share. This compares to a $188 million non-GAAP net loss in the prior quarter, or $0.19 diluted loss per share, and a $282 million non-GAAP net loss for the second quarter of 2017, or $0.28 diluted loss per share.

REUTERS - October Brent crude futures were last up 36 cents at $75.12 a barrel by 0902 GMT. The September contract expires on Tuesday. U.S. crude futures were up 78 cents at $69.47 a barrel.

U.S. BEA - The U.S. direct investment abroad position, or cumulative level of investment, increased $427.3 billion to $6,013.3 billion at the end of 2017 from $5,586.0 billion at the end of 2016, the foreign direct investment in the United States position increased $260.4 billion to $4,025.5 billion at the end of 2017 from $3,765.1 billion at the end of 2016.

U.S. EIA - U.S. energy expenditures declined for the fifth consecutive year, reaching $1.0 trillion in 2016, a 9% decrease in real terms from 2015. Adjusted for inflation, total energy expenditures in 2016 were the lowest since 2003. Expressed as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP), total energy expenditures were 5.6% in 2016, the lowest since at least 1970.

PEMEX - Pemex achieved total sales for 254 billion pesos in the second quarter of 2018, a figure 36% higher than the result obtained during the same quarter of the previous year. Operating yields were 120 billion pesos, a growth almost 37% greater than the second quarter of 2017. Operation, management, distribution and sales costs remained stable and aligned with the current austerity and expenditure policies.

BP - BP’s profit for the second quarter and half year was $2,799 million and $5,268 million respectively, compared with $144 million and $1,593 million for the same periods in 2017.