SHANA - Managing Director of the Iranian Gas Engineering and Development Company (IGEDC) Hassan Montazer Torbati said the supply of one billion cubic meters per day of natural gas by National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) was one of the goals of the company by 2021.

NIKKEI ASIAN REWIEW - China is expected to become the world's biggest importer of natural gas for the first time in 2018, overtaking longtime leaders Japan and South Korea.

REUTERS - Exxon Mobil Corp is placing big bets on China’s soaring liquefied natural gas (LNG) demand, coupling multi-billion dollar production projects around the world with its first mainland storage and distribution outlet.

WNN - China and Belgium have signed a framework agreement on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The agreement was one of several accords signed in Brussels yesterday during a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel.

NPD - Preliminary production figures for September 2018 show an average daily production of 1 607 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate, which is a decrease of 255 000 barrels per day compared to August.

REUTERS - Benchmark Brent crude oil LCOc1 was up 20 cents a barrel at $79.49 by 0740 GMT. U.S. light crude CLc1 was 15 cents higher at $68.80.

CNBC - Ukraine announced on Friday it would raise household gas prices by nearly a quarter as Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman warned that the country risked default if it crashed out of its International Monetary Fund aid program.

BHGE - U.S. Rig Count is up 4 rigs from last week to 1,067, with oil rigs up 4 to 873, gas rigs up 1 to 194, and miscellaneous rigs down 1 to 0. Canada Rig Count is down 4 rigs from last week to 191, with oil rigs down 4 to 123 and gas rigs unchanged at 68.

SANTOS - Strong production and revenue growth  Third quarter production up 6% to 15 mmboe due to strong performance across the core assets  Sales revenue up 10% to $973 million, including record quarterly LNG revenues of $405 million  PNG LNG achieved record daily rates equivalent to ~9.2 mtpa annualised production

МИНЭНЕРГО РОССИИ - «Ярким примером плодотворного сотрудничества наших стран является совместный проект узбекского «Узбекнефтегаза» и российского «ЛУКОЙЛа» по созданию на Кандымской группе месторождений нового современного газоперерабатывающего комплекса, который начал работу в апреле 2018 года», - сказал глава Минэнерго.

МИНЭКОНОМРАЗВИТИЯ РОССИИ - Для реализации Программы подписан План мероприятий и Перечень перспективных проектов экономических операторов России и Узбекистана. План включает 15 разделов и 82 пункта, перечень – 109 проектов по таким направлениям, как промышленность, топливно-энергетический комплекс, атомную энергетику, финансово-банковскую сферу, агропромышленный комплекс.

IMF - The agreement reached today reflects the IMF’s commitment to continue to help Ukraine achieve stronger, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth. The new program has been developed in close coordination with the World Bank and the European Union, who have parallel operations to support Ukraine. The authorities’ steadfast and effective implementation will be critical for the program to achieve its objectives.

API - The American Petroleum Institute’s latest monthly statistical report shows the U.S. produced a record 11.0 million barrels of crude oil per day (mb/d) in September. U.S. liquid fuels production grew 2.2 mb/d year-over-year (y/y), and the U.S. met virtually all global oil demand growth. As supply increased, crude oil inventories also rose in September but remained nearly 14 percent below those of September 2017.

Schlumberger Announces Third-Quarter 2018 Results Revenue of $8.5 billion increased 2% sequentially Pretax operating income of $1.2 billion increased 5% sequentially EPS was $0.46 Cash flow from operations was $1.8 billion Free cash flow was $1.0 billion

PLATTS - Bangladesh has terminated talks with Indian utility Reliance Power to build a new floating storage and regasification unit for LNG imports at Kutubdia Island near Chattogram port, a senior official at the LNG Cell said Thursday.

BLOOMBERG - Russia has begun discussions with Exxon Mobil Corp. on possible new oil and gas projects, potentially creating a dilemma as the U.S. government mulls more sanctions against the country.

SHANA - First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri said the country had plans for ensuring continuation of its oil sales under fresh US sanctions.

REUTERS - French energy group Total and China’s CNOOC have strengthened their existing partnership in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector to increase their output, the companies said on Monday.

REUTERS - Miners churned out 306.01 million tonnes of coal last month, up 3.2 percent from 296.6 million tonnes in August and up 5.2 percent from the same time last year, according to the data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

REUTERS - Benchmark Brent crude oil futures LCOc1 were at $80.26 a barrel at 0646 GMT, up 48 cents, or 0.6 percent, above their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 were at $69.60 a barrel, up 48 cents, or 0.7 percent.