IMF - “I had a constructive and open discussion with President Poroshenko on Ukraine’s efforts to fight corruption, which is expected by the Ukrainian society and is critical to improve transparency and accountability and create the conditions for sustainable growth."

U.S. Rig Count is up 307 rigs from last year's count of 624, with oil rigs up 253, gas rigs up 55, and miscellaneous rigs down 1 to 1. Canada Rig Count is down 11 rigs from last year's count of 230, with oil rigs down 5, gas rigs down 5, and miscellaneous rigs down 1 to 1.

REUTERS - U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $56.58 a barrel at 0714 GMT, down 11 cents, or 0.2 percent from their last settlement. Brent crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, were down 8 cents, or 0.1 percent, at $62.12 a barrel.

МИНЭНЕРГО РОССИИ - Министр энергетики Российской Федерации Александр Новак принял участие в официальной церемонии запуска газоперерабатывающего завода на месторождении «Бадра».

МИНЭНЕРГО РОССИИ - Александр Новак подчеркнул, что одним из приоритетных направлений сотрудничества России и Ирака является кооперация в нефтегазовом секторе, где у стран много общих интересов и наработанного опыта.

IMF - The system’s increasing complexity has sown financial stability risks. Given the centrality of banks to the financial system, the FSAP team recommended a gradual and targeted increase in bank capital. The authorities have recognized these risks, including at the highest level, and are proactively taking important measures to address them. These include the strengthening of systemic risk oversight, further improving regulation, and moving toward functional supervision.

REUTERS - China’s natural gas imports in November rose to a record as domestic demand surged while crude imports were the second-highest ever, as refiners ramped up output to cash in on strong profits as fuel prices soar, customs data showed on Friday.

EIA - In August 2017, total U.S. natural gas liquefaction capacity in the Lower 48 states increased to 2.8 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) following the completion of the fourth liquefaction unit at the Sabine Pass liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Louisiana. With increasing liquefaction capacity and utilization, U.S. LNG exports averaged 1.9 Bcf/d, and capacity utilization averaged 80% this year, based on data through November.

BAKER HUGHES, A GE - The worldwide rig count for November 2017 was 2,057, down 20 from the 2,077 counted in October 2017, and up 379 from the 1,678 counted in November 2016.

REUTERS - Brent crude futures LCOc1, the international benchmark for oil prices, were down 6 cents at $62.80 a barrel as of 0751 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $57.50 a barrel, down 22 cents.

МИНЭНЕРГО РОССИИ - Александр Новак подчеркнул, что одним из приоритетных направлений сотрудничества России и Ирака является кооперация в нефтегазовом секторе, где у стран много общих интересов и наработанного опыта.

IMF - Overall, the system is stable. We have had a turbulent period in the last couple of years. Bad loans increased, and profits and credit growth slowed down. This period seems to have come to an end and the economy and the banking sector are getting healthier.

PENNENERGY - significant deposits already discovered in the east Mediterranean, including Israel's Leviathan field are "just the tip of the iceberg" and that "it's very likely" that more gas will be found in Cypriot waters.

BEA - The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the Department of Commerce, announced today that the goods and services deficit was $48.7 billion in October, up $3.8 billion from $44.9 billion in September, revised. October exports were $195.9 billion, down less than $0.1 billion from September exports. October imports were $244.6 billion, $3.8 billion more than September imports.

PLATTS - Colder weather outlooks for major heating regions support the upside, while the recent and impending lackluster pace of storage erosion is keeping downward pressure on the market. At 6:50 am ET (1150 GMT) the contract was 5.2 cents lower at $2.933/MMBtu.