Norway resumes high-level talks with Russia
Norway has resumed high-level talks with Russia on trade and economic cooperation which were broken off after Moscow annexed Crimea two years ago.
Russia
Saudis temper call for cuts; Russia digs in: OPEC reality check
OPEC surprised the market in September with a preliminary agreement to reduce supply to 32.5 million to 33 million barrels a day, breaking a two-year policy to pump at full throttle. The news pushed prices above $50 a barrel in New York for the first time since June, but optimism faded as subsequent meetings failed to decide cuts for individual members.
Focus shifts to Iran, Russia as Opec makes final push for output cuts
OPEC’s final push to implement the Algiers supply accord and boost oil prices shifted focus to Iran and non-members such as Russia as Iraq appeared to reverse its opposition to output cuts.
Russia tries to dress up oil freeze as cut amid OPEC urging
Facing pressure from OPEC to make a significant output reduction, Russia reiterated its readiness to freeze oil production at current levels, arguing that the offer amounted to a cut compared with next year’s plans.
Russian reluctance to cut oil output gives Opec headache
For months, Russia has told OPEC its preferred option in any eventual oil-supply deal was to freeze production, rather than to cut it. It’s dawning on the group that Moscow may actually mean it.
Lukoil completes drilling of third well in Caspian Sea
Lukoil has completed its drilling of the third well at an offshore field in the Caspian Sea.
Twitter is new battleground in Ukraine-Russia gas feud
Ukraine’s state gas company has battled with Russia’s Gazprom PJSC over natural gas supplies in the real world for years. Now it’s taken the fight to Twitter.
Russian finance minister says budget to get money from Rosneft sale by end of 2016
The Russian budget will receive proceeds from a sale of a state stake in the country's largest oil producer by the end of the year.
Opinion: Are the Saudis about to reveal the best kept secret in oil?
One of the oil world's longest and best kept secrets may finally be revealed. Saudi Arabia is preparing to unveil how much oil it holds, a closely guarded state secret that has been kept quiet for decades.
Opec says progress made on output deal, but key questions unanswered
OPEC said it made progress toward a deal to cut production by more than 1 million barrels a day after another round of oil talks with Russia, but left crucial details including the role of Iraq and Iran to be resolved later this month.
Opec talks generate $6bn for Russian budget
Russia’s decision earlier this year to engage in talks with OPEC about limiting oil output has added more than 400 billion rubles ($6 billion) to the nation’s budget, according to two officials familiar with government calculations.
Russia detains minister for bribe over Rosneft-Bashneft deal
Russia opened a criminal case against Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev, the highest-profile official to be detained under President Vladimir Putin, for allegedly receiving a $2 million bribe to approve a privatization sale last month.
Russian Deputy PM says no changes for Belarus on gas prices
The Deputy Prime Minister of Russia said the gas price for Belarus would not be changes and he hoped a debt dispute between the two countries would be resolved within the next two weeks.
Power plant firm claims Siemens “impeding” shipping of gas turbine equipment
Technopromexport said the Russian unit of Siemens was "impeding" shipping of some of its gas turbine equipment for a power plant in the south of the country.
Russia targets £9bn from sale of Rosneft stake
The Russian Government has set out a minimum price for the sale of a 19.5% stake in oil giant Rosneft.
Rosneft sells stake in subsidiary to Chinese firm for $1.1bn
Russian energy major Rosneft has sold a 20% stake in one of its subsidiaries to a Chinese gas firm for $1.1billion.
Opec committed to output cut deal, Russia also ‘on board’
Opec’s secretary general said today that the group is committed to making September’s deal to cut output work, according to a news report.
Ukraine `happy’ to pay EU gas premium in move away from Russia
The biggest bull run this decade in European gas markets has failed to sway Ukraine from its year-long boycott of Russian supplies of the fuel.
Russia after sale of stake in oil giant Rosneft to “real investors”
Russia's government wants to sell a stake in oil giant Rosneft to "real investors" but may force the firm to buy its own shares to prop up the country's budget.
Russia, Norway swapping Barents seismic data
Oil and gas authorities in Russia and Norway will share seismic data from the Barents Sea under a new agreement.
Opec says oil markets rebalancing, hails Russian involvement
Opec’s secretary general said today that the rebalancing of the oil and gas market was under way following a recent agreement to cap crude output.
19 die as helicopter carrying oil workers crashes in Russia
A helicopter carrying oil workers has crashed in northern Russia, killing 19 people.
Russia’s rising oil-output forecasts give leverage in OPEC talks
As Russia gets ready for talks on cooperation with OPEC on Monday, it’s using the playbooks of Iran, Iraq and Venezuela to gain leverage.
Putin helped save his oil giant. Now Rosneft returns favor
Two years ago, the Kremlin’s oil flagship was foundering, hit by falling prices and international sanctions just as it faced $20 billion in debt payments.
Rosneft boss vows to obey Kremlin’s oil output commands, report says
Rosneft’s boss said today the firm would obey the Kremlin if Russia’s leaders agree to freeze oil production, a news report said.