International Brent crude futures LCOc1 were 32 cents lower at $51.57 per barrel, having traded as high as $52.19 earlier in the day. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 edged down 5 cents to $46.52 a barrel, after falling more than 2 percent in the previous session.

"Мы ожидаем, что рост ВВП в годовом выражении уже в августе вернётся к отметке выше 2%, и в целом по году мы получим значение выше 2%", - сказал глава российского Минэкономразвития по окончании встречи с французским бизнесом.

Участники встречи говорили о государственном регулировании, затрагивали вопросы санкций и нового законодательства США. «Я отметил, что реакция европейских партнеров носит положительный характер. На отношения России и Европы эта ситуация оказывает очень небольшое влияние, можно сказать, что европейские партнёры собираются активно инвестировать и развивать свой бизнес в России», - сказал Министр.

For the first six months of 2017, profit attributable to PJSC LUKOIL shareholders was 201.0 bln RUB, up 90.7% year-on-year. In the second quarter of 2017 profit increased by 122.5% quarter-on-quarter to 138.7 bln RUB.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 were down 52 cents at $47.35 a barrel. Brent crude LCOc1 was down 12 cents at $52.29 per barrel.

The overall economy in the U.S. showed gains in July, adding 209,000 jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The U.S. unemployment rate and the number of unemployed persons remained essentially unchanged at 4.3 percent and 7.0 million, respectively.

Oman’s petroleum and other liquids production averaged more than 1 million barrels per day in 2016, its highest production level ever. Oman was on track to maintain this production level in 2017, but it reduced production to approximately 970,000 barrels per day in early 2017 to meet the production cut it agreed to, along with members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

“We have been producing oil and gas in Norway for nearly 50 years and we are still not halfway done. Vast volumes of oil and gas have been discovered on the Norwegian shelf that are still waiting to be produced. We want companies with the ability and willingness to utilise new knowledge and advanced technology. This will yield profitable production for many decades in the future,” says Ingrid Sølvberg, Director of development and operations in the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate.

U.S. Rig Count is up 451 rigs from last year's count of 489, with oil rigs up 353, gas rigs up 99, and miscellaneous rigs down 1 to 1. Canada Rig Count is up 71 rigs from last year's count of 146, with oil rigs up 31 and gas rigs up 40.

Brent crude futures, LCOc1 the international benchmark for oil prices, were at $51.92 per barrel at 0652 GMT, down 18 cents, or 0.4 percent, from their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 were at $48.70 a barrel, down 12 cents, or 0.3 percent.

NYMEX September gas futures climbed 6.9 cents to $2.962/MMBtu as Monday's eclipse was projected to boost natural gas demand.

As of July 2017, the OPEC and participating non-OPEC producing countries achieved an impressive conformity level of 94 per cent. This is a demonstration of the commitment of participating producing countries to continue their cooperation towards the rebalancing of the market. The JMMC expressed great satisfaction with the results and steady progress made towards full conformity of the production adjustments, and encouraged all participating countries to achieve full conformity, for the benefit of producers and consumers alike. The JMMC also welcomed the participation of the UAE at the recent JTC meeting, where the UAE reiterated its commitment to adhere to its production adjustments for the remaining period of the Declaration of Cooperation.

«Мы видим наших турецких коллег в качестве надежных и долгосрочных партнеров. История экспорта российского газа в Турцию начинается с 1987 года. Помимо поставок газа с 1998 года компания ЛУКОЙЛ представлена в Турции сетью АЗС численностью порядка 600 единиц, также в республике работают компании «Роснефть» и «Татнефть». Россия является не только крупнейшим поставщиком газа в Турцию, но также обеспечивает примерно 19% потребностей Турции в нефти», - сообщил Александр Новак.

US commercial crude oil inventories declined 3.3 million bbl during the week ended Aug. 18 compared with the previous week’s total, continuing a months-long downward trend.

Preliminary production figures for July 2017 show an average daily production of 2 000 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate, which is an increase of 93 000 barrels per day compared to June.