U.S. exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) head into 2020 after a record year that saw exports soar by more than 60%, but growing concerns about weakened demand and heavy competition could act as headwinds in the coming year. Four new liquefaction trains - the common term for a shipping facility - entered service this year in the United States. The U.S. is on track to become the biggest global LNG exporter by 2024. LNG is seen as an alternative for Asian countries that have relied on … [Read more...]

Oil prices traded at three-month highs on Monday, underpinned by optimism over an expected U.S-China trade deal, while traders kept a close eye on the Middle East following a U.S. air strike. Markets showed little initial reaction to news of the U.S. strikes in Iraq and Syria against an Iran-backed militia group, even as U.S. officials warned "additional actions" may be taken. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures edged up 5 cents to $61.77 a barrel by 0529 GMT. The U.S. benchmark is … [Read more...]

U.S. energy firms reduced the number of operating oil rigs for the first time in three weeks as producers follow through on plans to slash spending on new drilling. Drillers cut 8 oil rigs in the week to Dec. 27, bringing the total count down to 677, the lowest since the week to Nov. 15, energy services firm Baker Hughes Co said in its closely followed report on Friday. In the same week a year ago, there were 885 active rigs. That put the oil rig count down 208 for the year, its first … [Read more...]

Oil prices rose on Friday, hitting three-month highs after data showed record online spending by U.S. consumers, stoking faith in the world's no. 1 economy even before the hoped-for end to the trade war between Washington and Beijing. West Texas Intermediate contract was up 13 cents, or 0.2%, at $61.81 a barrel. Brent crude futures were up 13 cents, or 0.2%, at $68.05 a barrel at 0150 GMT A survey on Thursday showed that online holiday purchases by U.S. consumers reached a record, … [Read more...]

Oil prices slipped on Monday, but held near recent three-month highs amid optimism that the United States and China are close to signing a trade deal, with President Donald Trump saying an agreement would be signed "very shortly". West Texas Intermediate was down 25 cents at $60.19 a barrel. Brent crude was down 15 cents, or 0.2%, at $65.99 a barrel. A so-called phase one deal was announced earlier in December as part of a bid to end the months-long tit-for-tat trade war between the … [Read more...]

U.S. energy firms added the most oil rigs this week since February 2018 - primarily in the Permian shale - even though producers have been reducing spending on new drilling for much of this year. Companies added 18 oil rigs in the week to Dec. 20, bringing the total count to 685, the most since early November, energy services firm Baker Hughes Co said in its closely followed report on Friday. In the same week a year ago, there were 883 active rigs. In the Permian in West Texas and … [Read more...]