Saturday, April 30, 2016

Buffett says would pursue big Berkshire stock buyback if warranted

OMAHA, Neb., April 30 (Reuters) - Warren Buffett on Saturday

said the odds were "extremely high" that his Berkshire Hathaway

Inc would buy back "a lot" of its stock if the price

fell below 1.2 times book value, a level it recently approached.

Read more

Buffett defends Berkshire's big Coke stake

OMAHA, Neb., April 30 (Reuters) - Warren Buffett on Saturday

vigorously defended Berkshire Hathaway Inc's

large, long-standing investment in Coca-Cola Co,

rejecting critics who say the company's sugary drinks harm

people's health.

Read more

Hundreds of protesters storm Baghdad's Green Zone -Reuters witnesses

BAGHDAD, April 30 (Reuters) - Hundreds of supporters of

Shi'ite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on Saturday stormed

Baghdad's Green Zone and some entered the parliament building

after lawmakers failed to convene for a vote on overhauling the

government, two Reuters witnesses said.

Read more

UPDATE 1-China's Hunan Dakang buys control of Brazil grains trader Fiagril

SAO PAULO, April 29 (Reuters) - Brazilian grains company

Fiagril Participações SA sold a controlling stake to China's

Hunan Dakang Pasture Farming Co Ltd, a unit of

Shanghai Pengxin Group Co, the Brazilian company said on Friday.

Read more

Friday, April 29, 2016

UPDATE 1-U.S. says working with Russia to revive Syria ceasefire

WASHINGTON, April 29 (Reuters) - The United States said on

Friday it was in discussions with Russia about trying to renew

the cessation of hostilities in Syria following the deadly

bombing this week of a hospital in Aleppo.

Read more

UK regulator suspends flights of Super Puma model that crashed in Norway

OSLO/LONDON, April 29 (Reuters) - The British civil aviation

authority said it was suspending flights of Airbus

Super Puma helicopters of the same type that crashed off the

west coast of Norway on Friday.

Read more

White House says U.S. working to refresh Syria ceasefire

WASHINGTON, April 29 (Reuters) - The White House said on

Friday that the United States and Russia have been working to

renew the cessation of hostilities in Syria, despite the deadly

bombing this week of a hospital in Aleppo.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Spot U.S. crude rally narrows contango, reduces storage economics

April 29 (Reuters) - Spot U.S. crude oil futures' discount

to the next trading month, known as contango, hit its smallest

levels since January on Friday, reducing the advantages of

storing oil in the United States for later delivery.

Read more

Output at N.Sea Gullfaks B platform shut after helicopter crash-Statoil

OSLO, April 29 (Reuters) - Production at the

Statoil-operated Gullfaks B platform in the North Sea

is shut for an undetermined period following a helicopter crash

in which 13 platform staff are presumed dead, a senior company

official said.

Read more

Crashed helicopter had maintenance delayed twice in 2015-report

OSLO, April 29 (Reuters) - An Airbus Super Puma

helicopter that crashed off the Norwegian coast on Friday,

killing at least 11 of the 13 people on board, had maintenance

servicing delayed twice last year, an official at the Norwegian

Civil Aviation Authority told Norwegian daily VG.

Read more

Kenya aims to complete $2.1 bln crude oil pipeline by 2021

NAIROBI, April 29 (Reuters) - Kenya will start a search next

week for companies to design a crude oil export pipeline costing

some $2.1 billion and which should be completed by 2021, Energy

and Petroleum Minister Charles Keter said on Friday.

Read more

RPT--Libya outlines ambitious plans to restore oil output

LONDON/TRIPOLI, April 28 (Reuters) - Libya's National Oil

Corporation has ambitious plans to restore output to pre-2011

levels after years of violence and disruption, officials said.

Read more

RPT-WRAPUP 1-Refining's silver lining loses luster at Exxon and Chevron

HOUSTON, April 29 (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil Corp and

Chevron Corp posted sharp drops in quarterly results on

Friday as an oversupplied fuel market shrank profits from their

refining units, which until now had provided healthy margins

that helped insulate them from a 60 percent slide in oil prices

since mid-2014.

Read more

WRAPUP 1-Canadian GDP slips in February after January growth surge

OTTAWA, April 29 (Reuters) - The Canadian economy contracted

in February after a strong start to the year, as activity in the

manufacturing and natural resource sectors declined, suggesting

that low energy prices continue to impede growth.

Read more

Russia considers further increase in mineral tax in 2017 - sources

MOSCOW, April 29 (Reuters) - Russia's finance ministry,

faced with a big budget deficit, has been considering an

additional increase in a mineral extraction tax for oil

companies, which may yield up to 200 billion roubles ($3.1

billion) in revenues, sources said on Friday.

Read more

11 people found dead in Norway helicopter crash

OSLO, April 29 (Reuters) - Emergency services have found 11

bodies after a helicopter crashed off the west coast off Norway

on Friday, a rescue official told broadcaster NRK.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Canada economic activity eased in Feb as goods sectors fell

OTTAWA, April 29 (Reuters) - The Canadian economy stalled in

February after a strong start to the year, as activity in the

manufacturing and natural resource sectors declined, data from

Statistics Canada showed on Friday, suggesting that low oil

prices continue to impede growth.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Canada's Imperial Oil posts bigger-than-expected loss

April 29 (Reuters) - Imperial Oil Ltd, Canada's

integrated oil producer and refiner, reported a slightly

bigger-than-expected quarterly loss, hurt by continued weakness

in crude prices.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Ophir ends talks with Schlumberger over Equatorial Guinea project

* Now sees first investment decision in Q4 vs. mid-2016

earlier

Read more

CORRECTED-UPDATE 1-Vestas has record Q1 order intake, shares rise 4 pct

COPENHAGEN, April 29 (Reuters) - The world's largest wind

turbine maker Vestas received record orders and posted

forecast-beating operating profit in the first quarter, lifting

the Danish company's share price by as much as 4 percent on

Friday.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Industrial chemicals unit helps limit BASF's Q1 profit fall

* Confirms adjusted EBIT to fall slightly this year

(Adds shares, CEO's comments)

Read more

Australian coal prices plummet as Colombian cargoes head to Asia

SINGAPORE/SEOUL, April 29 (Reuters) - Australian thermal

coal prices for delivery in June have dropped to 10-year lows as

Colombian miners start sending large volumes into Asia for the

first time, adding cargoes to an already oversupplied market.

Read more

Marine engineer Fugro retrenches in face of oil and gas rout

AMSTERDAM, April 29 (Reuters) - Marine engineer Fugro

said it was stepping up cost control efforts, cutting

a further 600 jobs over coming quarters, as its oil and gas

industry clients delayed contract awards and exploration budgets

continued to shrink.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Engie first-quarter revenue drops on lower power prices

PARIS, April 29 (Reuters) - French gas and power company

Engie's first-quarter core earnings decreased 1.7

percent to 3.6 billion euros ($4.1 billion) while revenue

slipped 14.3 percent to 18.9 billion due to lower power prices.

Read more

Thursday, April 28, 2016

UPDATE 1-Brazil prosecutors charge Rousseff campaign strategist

CURITIBA, Brazil, April 28 (Reuters) - Brazilian prosecutors

charged political strategist Joao Santana, the architect of

President Dilma Rousseff's 2010 and 2014 election victories, and

16 others with corruption on Thursday as part of a massive graft

investigation.

Read more

TIMELINE-Main events in Brazil corruption probe

April 28 (Reuters) - Brazilian prosecutors charged political

strategist Joao Santana, the architect of President Dilma

Rousseff's 2010 and 2014 election victories, with corruption on

Thursday.

Below are some of the main events in the investigation

focused on state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA, or

Petrobras.



March 20, 2014

Federal police arrest the former head of Petrobras' refining

and supply department, Paulo Roberto Costa, after noticing Costa

was given a Range Rove

Read more

Biden to meet Kurdish officials in unannounced visit to Erbil

ERBIL, Iraq, April 28 (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joe

Biden made an unannounced visit on Thursday to Erbil, the

capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, to show support for

the Kurdish government.

Read more

Equatorial Guinea's President Obiang wins re-election

DAKAR, April 28 (Reuters) - Equatorial Guinea's President

Teodoro Obiang Nguema has won re-election, securing 93.7 percent

of votes cast in an April 24 poll to extend his 37-year rule

over the Central African oil producer, a government statement

said on Thursday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-India orders tanker with disputed Libyan oil to await UN instructions

NEW DELHI, April 28 (Reuters) - India has instructed an

Indian-flagged oil tanker that has been blacklisted by the U.N.

not to discharge its cargo of crude oil from Libya's rival

eastern government and to await instructions from the United

Nations, a senior Indian government official said on Thursday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Areva's first quarter sales slip as uranium deliveries slow

PARIS, April 28 (Reuters) - French state-controlled nuclear

group Areva said first-quarter sales from its nuclear

fuel and uranium unit fell 0.8 percent to 826 million euros

($936 million) as uranium deliveries slowed.

Read more

Islamic State turns to selling fish, cars to offset oil losses -report

* Group also runs factories and car dealerships, levies

taxes

Read more

National Oilwell Varco says cut 6,000 jobs in quarter

April 28 (Reuters) - National Oilwell Varco Inc, the

largest U.S. provider of oil drilling equipment, said on

Thursday it slashed 6,000 jobs in the first quarter as weak oil

prices forced its customers to cut production and exploration.

Read more

CANADA STOCKS-TSX rises, led by gold and energy stocks

TORONTO, April 28 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index rose

on Thursday as resource stocks rose and Bombardier Inc

rallied after winning a large plane order, while the financials

group retreated.

Read more

Libya outlines ambitious plans to restore oil output

LONDON/TRIPOLI, April 28 (Reuters) - Libya's National Oil

Corporation has ambitious plans to restore output to pre-2011

levels after years of violence and disruption, officials said.

Read more

World Bank issues $30 million loan to Armenia for energy sector

YEREVAN, April 28 (Reuters) - The World Bank has decided to

issue a $30 million loan to improve governance of the energy

sector in Armenia, the bank said on Thursday.

Read more

UPDATE 2-ConocoPhillips swings to loss and slashes budget, again

April 28 (Reuters) - ConocoPhillips, the largest

U.S. independent oil company, on Thursday reported a quarterly

loss after a year-earlier profit and slashed its 2016 budget for

the second time this year, its latest response to the slump in

crude prices.

Read more

RPT-COLUMN-China stimulus may give temporary boost to gasoil margins: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, April 28 (Reuters) - - It may prove

only temporary relief, but Asian refiners appear set to enjoy

higher margins in coming weeks for gasoil, the middle distillate

that includes diesel and jet fuel.

Read more

Algeria offers incentives in new investment law

April 27 (Reuters) - As part of steps to open up its economy

after a sharp fall in energy earnings, Algeria's government has

drafted a new investment law offering incentives to local and

foreign businessmen in its non-oil sector.

Read more

ConocoPhillips posts quarterly loss, cuts 2016 budget again

April 28 (Reuters) - ConocoPhillips, the largest

U.S. independent oil company, reported a quarterly loss,

compared with a year-earlier profit, and further lowered its

2016 budget as the slump in crude prices sapped profitability.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Marathon Petroleum barely ekes out a profit due to weak crack spreads

April 28 (Reuters) - Refiner Marathon Petroleum Corp

barely eked out a profit in the first quarter, hurt by weak

crack spreads - the difference between the prices of crude oil

and refined products.

Read more

UPDATE 1-MEG Energy posts profit as production costs stay at record low

April 28 (Reuters) - MEG Energy Corp, which

operates in Canada's oil sands, reported a first-quarter profit,

compared with a loss a year earlier, as it managed to keep

production costs at record lows to help cushion the impact of a

slump in oil prices.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Norway bank DNB sees 2016 lending loss at 7-year high, hit by oil

* First quarter net profit falls less than forecast

(Adds quote, bullets, share price, detail)

Read more

MIDEAST STOCKS-Abu Dhabi, Dubai pulled down by banks; Saudi cools

DUBAI, April 28 (Reuters) - Share price declines among

leading banks in the United Arab Emirates after disappointing

quarterly earnings reports pulled down stock markets there on

Thursday, while Saudi Arabian shares edged down.

Read more

BUZZ-Weir: top Stoxx industrial services gainer on guidance hike

** Resources capex co Weir +c.6% & top of Stoxx 600

industrial goods & services after says H1 profits to be

slightly ahead of market expectations

Read more

BUZZ-Anglo American: rallies on sale of Brazilian business

** Anglo American +4% & top Stoxx 600 basic

resources gainer after sells niobium & phosphates

businesses to China Molybdenum for $1.5 bln cash

Read more

UPDATE 2-Crude oil prices take a breather after hitting 2016 highs

* Jefferies says market appears at beginning of a bull run

(Adds detail, updates prices)

Read more

REFILE-UPDATE 1-Anglo American agrees $1.5 bln sale of niobium and phosphates units

LONDON, April 28 (Reuters) - Global mining group Anglo

American said on Thursday it had agreed to sell its

niobium and phosphates businesses to China Molybdenum for $1.5

billion in cash to reduce its debts.

Read more

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

RPT-Turkish conglomerates race into construction, hunting quick profits

ISTANBUL, April 27 (Reuters) - Turkish conglomerates are

racing to add high-end apartment blocks and office towers to

Istanbul's rapidly-changing skyline, turning to one of the

world's most profitable real estate markets for quick returns as

other parts of the economy suffer.

Read more

Anglo American agrees $1.5 bln sale of niobium and phosphates units

LONDON, April 28 (Reuters) - Miner Anglo American

said on Thursday it had agreed to sell its niobium and

phosphates businesses to China Molybdenum for $1.5 billion in

cash to reduce its debt level.

Read more

Crude oil prices take a breather after hitting 2016 highs

SINGAPORE, April 28 (Reuters) - Crude futures pulled back

from 2016 highs early on Thursday as traders locked in profits

after April's sharp rally, but analysts said falling U.S.

production and strong investor appetite could push prices

higher.

Read more

China's Dalian Commodities Exchange: new rules aim to curb speculation, risks

BEIJING, April 28 (Reuters) - Dalian Commodity Exchange's

recent series of new rules on trading are aimed at curbing

speculation and cutting market risks, the Chinese exchange said

in a statement.

Read more

RPT-COLUMN-Saudi Arabia will struggle to kick its addiction to oil: Kemp

LONDON, April 27 (Reuters) - "King Abdulaziz and the men who

worked with him for the establishment of the state did not

depend on oil and they established the kingdom without oil, and

they ran this state without oil, and they lived in this state

without oil," Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said

in an televised interview on Monday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Pacific Exploration gets court approval for $500 mln DIP facility

April 27 (Reuters) - Pacific Exploration & Production Corp

said an Ontario court approved a $500 million

debtor-in-possession financing facility for the Canadian company

and its units, hours after it filed for creditor protection.

Read more

Suncor Energy to acquire additional 5 pct stake in Syncrude

April 27 (Reuters) - Canadian oil and gas producer Suncor

Energy Inc said on Wednesday it has agreed to acquire an

additional 5 percent stake in Syncrude for about C$937 million.

Read more

Cenovus mulling diluent recovery unit at Alberta rail terminal

CALGARY, Alberta, April 27 (Reuters) - Cenovus Energy

is looking into building a diluent recovery unit at its

Bruderheim crude-by-rail terminal near Edmonton, Alberta, which

would allow the company to ship raw bitumen in tank cars and

save on condensate costs.

Read more

Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state moves ahead with oil and gas tax

* State seeks $522 mln from new oil, gas "environmental

levy"

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.N. blacklists India-flagged ship carrying eastern Libya oil

UNITED NATIONS, April 27 (Reuters) - The United Nations

Security Council Libya sanctions committee blacklisted on

Wednesday an Indian-flagged tanker carrying crude oil shipped by

the rival eastern Libya government, said diplomats, which would

prevent it from entering any ports.

Read more

Rig operator Noble's profit plunges 41 pct as oil prices slump

April 27 (Reuters) - Noble Corp Plc's quarterly

profit plunged nearly 41 percent as the prolonged slump in oil

prices pulled down rig demand and rates.

Read more

Chemical companies see rosier results on low crude prices

NEW YORK, April 27 (Reuters) - Expectations for chemical

company earnings have been boosted by a combination of lower

crude oil costs during the commodity's slump along with strong

demand for plastics that are used to make everything from

shampoo bottles to grocery bags.

Read more

First Solar posts quarterly profit; appoints new CEO

April 27 (Reuters) - Solar panel maker First Solar Inc

posted a quarterly profit, compared with a year-earlier

loss, helped by higher revenue from the sale of a large

California solar power plant to Southern Co.

Read more

UPDATE 1-World Bank and Nigerian president discuss economic crisis, Abacha loot

ABUJA, April 27 (Reuters) - The World Bank's managing

director and Nigeria's president on Wednesday discussed how the

multilateral lender could help Nigeria overcome its economic

crisis and repatriate more than $300 million stolen by a former

military ruler.

Read more

EMERGING MARKETS-Brazil stocks outperform Latam as banks, state-run firms gain

BRASILIA, April 27 (Reuters) - Brazilian stocks rose nearly

2 percent on Wednesday as growing market optimism about an

expected government change boosted shares of banks and state-run

companies.

Brazil's currency, the real, and other exchange rates

across Latin America were little changed though, as investors

awaited an upcoming interest rate decision in the United States.

Brazil's Bovespa stock index outperformed the

broader MSCI Latin American stock index on signs

Vice President Michel

Read more

Turkish conglomerates race into construction, hunting quick profits

ISTANBUL, April 27 (Reuters) - Turkish conglomerates are

racing to add high-end apartment blocks and office towers to

Istanbul's rapidly-changing skyline, turning to one of the

world's most profitable real estate markets for quick returns as

other parts of the economy suffer.

Read more

REFILE-Oil majors' results surprise, but output fall, volatile trading lurk

LONDON, April 27 (Reuters) - Major oil companies'

first-quarter results have so far not been as bad as feared but

volatile trading operations and a likely fall in production mean

any respite could be short lived.

Read more

World Bank and Nigerian president discuss the country's economic crisis

ABUJA, April 27 (Reuters) - The World Bank held talks with

the Nigerian president on Wednesday on how it could help Nigeria

overcome an economic crisis caused mainly by a sharp fall in

crude prices eating into its oil revenues.

Read more

Turkish oil group in talks to invest in Genel's Kurdistan gas project

LONDON, April 27 (Reuters) - A Turkish state-backed energy

firm is in talks to invest in Genel Energy's two big

gas field developments in Iraqi Kurdistan, which would also

include a pipeline to connect them to Turkey, company and

industry sources said.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Baker Hughes says US rig count may stabilize in 2016

April 27 (Reuters) - Oilfield services provider Baker Hughes

Inc said on Wednesday that U.S. rig count will likely

stabilize in the second half of the year after falling in the

current quarter.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Oil producer Hess reports smaller-than-expected loss

April 27 (Reuters) - U.S. oil producer Hess Corp

reported a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss as cost cuts

helped offset the impact of lower oil prices.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Czech EPH scraps gas and heating unit float for direct sale

* IPO prep valued EPIF unit in billions of euros

(Adds sources on talks status, timing)

Read more

Ukraine introduces new energy tariffs to meet IMF demands

KIEV, April 27 (Reuters) - The Ukrainian government on

Wednesday unified natural gas tariffs for consumers as it seeks

to meet demands by the International Monetary Fund to secure

financial aid.

Read more

Siemens claims EU's largest wind turbine contract with Iberdrola

LONDON, April 27 (Reuters) - Germany's Siemens

has won a five-year deal worth up to 833 million pounds ($1.2

billion) to build and service wind turbines for Scottish Power's

East Anglia ONE project off the eastern coast of England,

Scottish Power said on Wednesday.

Read more

BUZZ-Worldpay: set to outgrow peers, says UBS

** Payments processor Worldpay +2.5% & 2nd-top FTSE

100 gainer after UBS raises to "buy" from "neutral"

Read more

BUZZ-Amec: top performer on European oil & gas index after Q1 results

** Oilfield services co Amec Foster Wheeler +c.3% &

top of Stoxx 600 oil & gas index as co's in-line Q1

results reassure investors

Read more

Saudis open new phase in Asia oil market turf war with China spot sale

* Russia has so far dominated oil sales to China's teapot

refiners

Read more

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

UPDATE 1-Oil prices jump on weak dollar, strong investor appetite

* Analysts warn that end of bull-run could be close

(Adds detail on Middle East oilfield, updates prices)

Read more

Total Q1 beats forecasts on high output, strong margins

PARIS, April 27 (Reuters) - French oil and gas major Total

reported a better that expected net profit in the

first quarter of the 2016 as high output and a strong

performance in refining and chemicals helped limit the impact of

a prolonged fall in oil prices.

Read more

RPT-COLUMN-China tries to tame animal spirits in commodity markets: Andy Home

LONDON, April 26 (Reuters) - Nearly 240 million tonnes of

steel rebar traded on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (ShFE) last

Thursday.

Read more

Oil prices jump on weak dollar, strong investor appetite

SINGAPORE, April 27 (Reuters) - Crude oil futures rose half

a dollar in early Asian trading on Wednesday and remained near

2016 highs on the back of strong investor sentiment and a weak

dollar, although analysts warned this month's bull-run could

soon run out of steam.

Read more

Stanford climate activists slam university over fossil fuel vote

SAN FRANCISCO, April 26 (Reuters) - Stanford University's

announcement on Monday that it will not rid its $22 billion

endowment of oil and gas companies has raised the ire of campus

climate activists, who said on Tuesday they will protest the

decision.

Read more

Britain urged to set 2030 emissions target for power industry

LONDON, April 27 (Reuters) - Britain should set a 2030

emissions target for the power industry to encourage investment

in new low-carbon power plants and keep the country on track for

its climate targets, a parliamentary committee said on

Wednesday.

Read more

WRAPUP 1-Venezuela oil refineries face operating woes, PDVSA launches tenders

PUNTO FIJO, Venezuela/Houston, April 26 (Reuters) -

V enezuela's key Paraguana oil refining complex was this week

operating around half capacity, prompting state-run oil company

PDVSA to launch purchase tenders for products as it tries to

offset power outages and equipment failures.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Husky may take legal action in gas dispute with China firm

CALGARY, Alberta, April 26 (Reuters) - Husky Energy Inc

said on Tuesday it was confident a dispute with China's

CNOOC Ltd over delivery payments for South China Sea

gas will be resolved but warned it would take legal action

against the state-owned energy company if necessary.

Read more

Alberta economy too weak for sales tax -finance minister

TORONTO, April 26 (Reuters) - Alberta should not introduce a

provincial sales tax at this time because it would further slow

activity in an economy battered by low oil prices, the

province's finance minister said on Tuesday.

Read more

Refinery outages, stock draw boost U.S. gasoline futures, margins

HOUSTON, April 26 (Reuters) - U.S. gasoline futures rallied

to their highest since August on Tuesday and boosted refinery

margins after a flurry of Gulf Coast refinery unit outages,

buying from Venezuela and a reported drop in New York

inventories.

Read more

RPT-UPDATE 1-Venezuela proposes non-OPEC oil producers attend Vienna meeting

CARACAS, April 26 (Reuters) - Venezuela has proposed that

non-OPEC oil producers attend the group's June meeting in Vienna

to continue "dialogue and coordination," according to a letter

from the South American country's oil minister to the Qatari

energy minister, who is also the current OPEC president.

Read more

Saudi reform plans flirt with social change

RIYADH, April 26 (Reuters) - Reforms promised by a young

Saudi prince are couched in references to the kingdom's Islamic

tradition but include ideas likely to upset some conservatives,

risking future ruptures over the direction of society.

Read more

Venezuela formally proposes non-OPEC producers attend Vienna meeting

CARACAS, April 26 (Reuters) - Venezuela has proposed that

non-OPEC oil producers attend the group's June meeting in Vienna

to continue "dialogue and coordination," according to a letter

sent by the South American country's oil minister to the Qatari

energy minister, who is also the current OPEC president.

Read more

U.S. says worried about Libyan oil purchases outside legal channels

WASHINGTON, April 26 (Reuters) - The United States is

concerned about Libyan oil purchases outside legitimate channels

and said all sales must go through the Tripoli-based National

Oil Corp, a U.S. State Department spokesman said on Tuesday.

Read more

Husky may take legal action in gas dispute with Chinese firm

CALGARY, Alberta, April 26 (Reuters) - Husky Energy

said on Tuesday it was confident a dispute with China's CNOOC

Ltd over gas delivery payments from the South China

Sea will be resolved, but warned it would take legal action

against the state-owned energy giant if necessary.

Read more

UPDATE 1-S&P reduces Exxon's credit rating, cites cheap oil

April 26 (Reuters) - Standard & Poor's on Tuesday reduced

Exxon Mobil Corp's credit rating to AA+ from AAA, saying

low oil prices will make it difficult for the world's largest

publicly traded oil producer to keep funding high dividends and

share purchases for the next few years.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Eastern Libya ships first oil cargo in defiance of Tripoli

* Tripoli-based NOC is internationally recognised as sole

exporter

(Adds doubts around unloading and possible sale, comment from

NOC Tripoli, no response from UAE firm)

Read more

WRAPUP 2-Weak U.S. factory, consumer confidence data cloud growth outlook

WASHINGTON, April 26 (Reuters) - Orders for long-lasting

U.S. manufactured goods rebounded far less than expected in

March as demand for automobiles, computers and electrical goods

slumped, suggesting the downturn in the factory sector was far

from over.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Freeport to slash jobs after failing to sell oil business, shares fall

April 26 (Reuters) - U.S. miner and oil producer

Freeport-McMoRan Inc said on Tuesday it would cut about

a quarter of the workforce in its oil and gas business after

failing to sell the unit.

Read more

Six Turkish crew freed two weeks after kidnap by pirates off Nigeria -lawyer

ISTANBUL, April 26 (Reuters) - Six Turkish members of a

cargo ship's crew kidnapped by pirates off the coast of Nigeria

just over two weeks ago have been released and are safely back

in Istanbul, their shipping company's lawyer said on Tuesday.

Read more

South Sudan rebel leader Machar back in Juba for first time in two years

JUBA, April 26 (Reuters) - South Sudanese rebel leader Riek

Machar arrived in Juba on Tuesday, a Reuters witness said,

returning to the capital for the first time since a conflict

erupted more than two years ago and after a row last week over

the weapons he could bring.

(Reporting by Denis Dumo; Writing by George Obulutsa)

Read more

WRAPUP 1-Rebound in U.S. durable goods orders below expectations

WASHINGTON, April 26 (Reuters) - Orders for long-lasting

U.S. manufactured goods rebounded less than expected in March as

demand for automobiles, computers and electrical goods slumped,

suggesting the downturn in the factory sector was far from over.

Read more

Indonesian court orders suspension of Bumi's debt payment obligations

JAKARTA, April 26 (Reuters) - Indonesian coal miner PT Bumi

Resources Tbk said on Tuesday a Jakarta court has

suspended its debt payment obligations at the request of one of

its creditors, Castleford Investment Holdings Ltd.

Read more

Freeport McMoran reports bigger quarterly loss

April 26 (Reuters) - U.S. miner and oil producer

Freeport-McMoRan reported a bigger quarterly loss, hurt

by weak copper and oil prices.

Read more

COLUMN-China tries to tame animal spirits in commodity markets: Andy Home

LONDON, April 26 (Reuters) - Nearly 240 million tonnes of

steel rebar traded on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (ShFE) last

Thursday.

Read more

Serbian engineer abducted in Libya - foreign ministry

BELGRADE, April 26 (Reuters) - A Serbian engineer has been

kidnapped in a remote area of Libya near the Egyptian border,

the Serbian foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Teck Resources profit rises 38 pct helped by cost cuts

April 26 (Reuters) - Canadian miner Teck Resources Ltd

reported a 38 percent rise in quarterly profit

as cost cutting measures and a weak Canadian dollar helped

cushion the impact of lower coal and copper prices.

Read more

Teck Resources quarterly profit rises 38 percent

April 26 (Reuters) - Canadian miner Teck Resources Ltd

reported a 38 percent rise in quarterly

profit, helped by lower costs.

Read more

UPDATE 2-E.ON's Uniper plans cost cuts and asset sales

* E.ON to spin off 53.35 pct of Uniper in first step

(Adds company, trader quotes, background)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Finland's UPM profit lifted by cost cuts, pulp sales

* Shares rise 9.6 pct, rival Stora up 4.7 pct

(Adds analyst comment, share reaction)

Read more

UPDATE 1-BP eyes more spending cuts after 80 pct profit drop

* BP CEO sees market rebalancing at end of 2016

(Adds details, recasts)

Read more

COLUMN-Russia, Australia await the big "if" of China ban on North Korean coal: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, April 26 (Reuters) - Australia and

Russia could emerge the relative winners if China does restrict

imports of North Korean coal, as it has pledged to do.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Oil prices dip on looming production race between Saudi Arabia, Iran

* Lower dollar, new cash inflows initially lift crude

futures

Read more

Monday, April 25, 2016

Australia, NZ shares slip on caution ahead of policy meetings

SYDNEY/WELLINGTON, April 26 (Reuters) - Australian and New

Zealand shares dipped on Tuesday, mirroring softness across much

of Asia with investors wary of taking big positions ahead of key

policy meetings this week.

Read more

REFILE-UPDATE 1-Malaysia's 1MDB says in default on some bonds after missed payment

HONG KONG, April 26 (Reuters) - 1Malaysia Development Bhd

(1MDB) said on Tuesday it did not pay a $50.3 million coupon on

a $1.75 billion bond, following a stand-off with Abu Dhabi

sovereign fund IPIC, triggering cross-defaults on some of its

other bonds.

Read more

U.N. to distribute food as hunger grows in wake of Ecuador quake

NEW YORK, April 25 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The United

Nations will distribute food to more than a quarter of a million

people who survived Ecuador's devastating 7.8-magnitude

earthquake but are growing hungry in its aftermath, the

organization said on Monday.

Read more

UPDATE 2-U.S. challenged China, 12 others on navigation rights last year

WASHINGTON, April 25 (Reuters) - The U.S. military conducted

"freedom of navigation" operations against 13 countries last

year, including several to challenge China's claims in the

South and East China seas, according to an annual Pentagon

report released on Monday.

Read more

Brazil's Supreme Court revokes house arrest of BTG Pactual's Esteves

SAO PAULO, April 25 (Reuters) - Brazil's Supreme Court has

revoked a house arrest order against billionaire financier Andre

Esteves, the former chief executive of Banco BTG Pactual SA

, Latin America's largest independent investment bank,

local media reported on Monday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Husky selling part interest in midstream assets for C$1.7 bln

CALGARY, Alberta, April 25 (Reuters) - Oil and gas producer

Husky Energy reported a first-quarter loss on Monday

and said it has agreed to sell a partial interest in a package

of Canadian midstream energy assets to two Hong Kong-based firms

for C$1.7 billion ($1.34 billion) in cash.

Read more

Oil futures rise on weaker dollar, new cash inflows

SINGAPORE, April 26 (Reuters) - Crude oil futures rose early

on Tuesday, pushed up by a weaker dollar and a flood of new cash

into the market, but analysts warned that fundamentals remain

weak as a producer race for customers heats up in the Middle

East.

Read more

Husky selling part interest in midstream assets for C$1.7 billion

CALGARY, Alberta, April 25 (Reuters) - Husky Energy

said on Monday it will sell 65 percent ownership in select

midstream energy assets in Canada to Cheung Kong Infrastructure

Holdings Ltd and Power Asset Holdings Ltd

for C$1.7 billion ($1.34 billion).

Read more

Brazil to ask Congress to pass Paris climate deal -minister

NEW YORK/SAO PAULO, April 25 (Reuters) - Brazil's government

will ask legislators this week to ratify the Paris climate

agreement, the environment minister said late on Sunday, even as

President Dilma Rousseff faces possible impeachment and lacks

majority support in Congress.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Canadian regulator approves Enbridge Line 3 with conditions

CALGARY, Alberta, April 25 (Reuters) - Canadian regulators

on Monday recommended the federal government approve Enbridge

Inc's plan to replace one of its major crude oil export

pipelines, but also imposed 89 conditions on the project to

enhance safety and environmental protection.

Read more

Canada timelines for pipelines could be shorter -govt

KANANASKIS, Alberta, April 25 (Reuters) - Canada's approval

process for pipelines to export crude from the landlocked

province of Alberta to the coast could be shorter, Natural

Resources Minister Jim Carr said on Monday, in response to

pressure to help get the region's oil to market.

Read more

Moody's downgrades Canadian province of Alberta on rising debt

TORONTO, April 25 (Reuters) - Moody's Investors Service

stripped the Canadian province of Alberta of its Aaa credit

rating on Monday, citing its worsening fiscal position and

resulting rapid rise in debt.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Oil corporation allied to east Libya government loads tanker for export - officials

BENGHAZI/TUNIS April 25 (Reuters) - A parallel national oil

corporation allied to Libya's eastern government loaded a

shipment of 650,000 barrels at the Marsa el-Hariga terminal on

Monday in an effort to sell oil for the first time, officials

said.

Read more

Billionaire green donor launches U.S. millennial voter drive

WASHINGTON, April 25 (Reuters) - Billionaire environmental

activist Tom Steyer's super PAC launched a $25 million youth

voter drive on Monday in seven political battleground states to

help elect candidates that champion climate change policies in

November's general election.

Read more

EU energy chief casts doubt on need for Nord Stream 2 pipeline

HANOVER, April 25 (Reuters) - Europe may end up with more

gas than it needs if the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, designed to

double the amount of gas Russia pumps to Germany via the Baltic

Sea, is built, the European Union's most senior energy official

said on Monday.

Read more

Oil corporation allied to east Libya govt loading tanker for export - officials

BENGHAZI, Libya, April 25 (Reuters) - A parallel national

oil corporation allied to Libya's eastern government was loading

a shipment of 650,000 barrels at the Marsa el-Hariga terminal on

Monday in an effort to sell oil for the first time, officials

said.

Read more

Iraq's southern oil exports hit record high so far in April

LONDON, April 25 (Reuters) - Oil exports from southern Iraq

have reached a record monthly rate so far in April as OPEC's

second-largest producer resumes the supply growth that has added

downward pressure on prices.

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.S. accuses South Sudan sides of blocking peace, warns over support

* Chief of staff arrives, no news when Machar will follow

(Adds arrival of Machar's chief of staff in Juba)

Read more

Bangladesh tightens security at gas field after militant threat

DHAKA, April 25 (Reuters) - Bangladesh has increased

security at its largest natural gas field, which is operated by

Chevron, the government said on Monday, citing a rare

threat by a militant group operating in neighbouring India.

Read more

WRAPUP 1-Saudi prince unveils sweeping reform plan for economy

RIYADH, April 25 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown

Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced a sweeping reform plan on

Monday that he said would transform the kingdom into a global

investment power and wean the world's top oil exporter off crude

by 2020.

Read more

Swift Energy emerges from bankruptcy

April 25 (Reuters) - Oil producer Swift Energy Co

said on Monday it emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, less than

four months after filing for creditor protection.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Bulgaria's BEH agrees 535 mln euros loan financing

SOFIA, April 25 (Reuters) - Bulgarian state energy firm BEH

has signed a 535 million euro ($602 million) bridge loan with

three international banks which is to be refinanced by a global

bond issue within a year, a senior BEH official said on Monday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Bulgarian competition watchdog raids OMV offices in fuel pricing probe

SOFIA, April 25 (Reuters) - Bulgaria's competition regulator

said on Monday it had raided the offices of the local subsidiary

of Austrian oil group OMV as part of its investigation

into possible cartel agreements.

Read more

RPT-INSIGHT-Yieldcos enabled SunEdison's debt-fueled acquisition spree

April 25 (Reuters) - At an early 2015 investor conference,

SunEdison's then-chief financial officer, Brian

Wuebbels, trumpeted the profit potential in the solar

developer's relationship with a venture it had recently spun

off.

Read more

NWR creditors raise pressure on Czech government in rescue talks

PRAGUE, April 25 (Reuters) - Coal miner New World Resources

said on Monday it was in default on part of its debt and would

have to consider filing for insolvency at its main operating

business unless the government and creditors agree on the firm's

restructuring by Friday.

Read more

Bulgarian competition watchdog raids OMV offices in fuel pricing probe

SOFIA, April 25 (Reuters) - Bulgaria's competition regulator

said on Monday it had raided the offices of the local subsidiary

of Austrian oil group OMV as part of its investigation

into possible cartel agreements.

Read more

Russian government in talks with potential bidders for Rosneft, Bashneft stakes -agencies

MOSCOW, April 25 (Reuters) - Russia's government is in talks

with potential buyers of stakes in the nation's top oil producer

Rosneft and medium-sized oil producer Bashneft

, Russian news agencies quoted Russian Deputy Prime

Minister Igor Shuvalov as saying on Monday.

Read more

REFILE-INVESTMENT FOCUS- Emerging junk bonds face hazards after rally

* GRAPHIC-Metals performance YTD: http://link.reuters.com/cag37s

Read more

Japan says China's maritime expansion making the world "greatly worried"

TOKYO, April 25 (Reuters) - Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio

Kishida, speaking ahead of a visit to Beijing, said on Monday

China was making the world "worried" with its military buildup

and maritime expansion in the East and South China Seas.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Indonesia OPEC governor: no urgency to freeze output with oil at $45

* No deal yet on Iranian LPG imports

(Adds detail, context, Iran LPG comments)

Read more

UPDATE 1-China confirms to strictly control coal-fired power capacity

BEIJING, April 25 (Reuters) - China's government said on

Monday that it would strictly control the total capacity of its

coal-fired power sector, confirming a move that had previously

been flagged by the country's energy watchdog.

Read more

Sunday, April 24, 2016

INSIGHT-Yieldcos enabled SunEdison's debt-fueled acquisition spree

April 25 (Reuters) - At an early 2015 investor conference,

SunEdison's then-chief financial officer, Brian

Wuebbels, trumpeted the profit potential in the solar

developer's relationship with a venture it had recently spun

off.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Oil falls as traders cash in after three weeks of gains

* Morgan Stanley says market fundamentals remain weak

(Adds comment, updates prices)

Read more

REFILE-Death toll rises to 32 at petrochemical plant explosion

MEXICO CITY, April 24 (Reuters) - Four more people have been

found dead after last week's explosion at a petrochemical plant

in southeastern Mexico, raising the death toll to 32, state oil

giant Pemex and Mexican plastic pipe maker Mexichem said in a

joint statement on Sunday.

Read more

Oil falls as traders cash in after 3 weeks of gains

* Price drops came despite drop in U.S. rig count to 2009

lows

Read more

UPDATE 1-Kurdish forces to keep areas taken from Syrian govt forces truce

BEIRUT, April 24 (Reuters) - Kurdish security forces will

keep territory taken from pro-government forces during a rare

three-day outbreak of violence in a city in northeastern Syria,

a truce announced by Kurdish authorities on Sunday indicated.

Read more

MIDEAST STOCKS-Petchems lift Saudi, other Gulf markets mixed

DUBAI, April 24 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's stock market rose

strongly in heavy trade on Sunday as firm oil prices boosted

petrochemical shares, while other markets in the region were

mixed.

Read more

Britain says can't rule out sending troops to Libya - newspaper

LONDON, April 24 (Reuters) - British Foreign Secretary

Philip Hammond said on Sunday that he could not rule out sending

troops to Libya if requested to do so by the Libyan government,

but that any deployment would need to be approved by parliament.

Read more

S.African President Zuma in Iran to develop trade, political ties -presidency

DUBAI / JOHANNESBURG, April 24 (Reuters) - South African

President Jacob Zuma arrived in Iran on Sunday to strengthen

political, trade and investment ties after crippling

international sanctions against the Islamic Republic were lifted

earlier this year, his office said.

Read more

Asia Naphtha-Bangladesh tenders to sell 170,000 bbls naphtha

DHAKA, April 24 (Reuters) - Bangladesh Petroleum Corp (BPC)

has issued an international tender to sell 170,000 barrels of

naphtha for May 26-28 loading from Chittagong, a company

official said on Sunday.

Read more

REPEAT-Disgruntled investors flex vote muscle on UK executive pay

LONDON, April 22 (Reuters) - Change the way you pay or risk

losing your jobs, corporate governance watchdogs have warned the

boards of Britain's top companies, as investors call for a

reality check on salaries.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Militants, guards clash near Libya's Brega port, oil commander wounded

BENGHAZI, Libya April 23 (Reuters) - Islamic State militants

clashed with a Libyan force guarding oil ports near Brega

terminal on Saturday, killing one guard and wounding four

including Ibrahim Jathran, leader of the Petroleum Facilities

Guard (PFG), a spokesman and medical sources said.

Read more

Saturday, April 23, 2016

UPDATE 1-IMF says Mozambique admits to over $1 bln of hidden debt

JOHANNESBURG, April 23 (Reuters) - The International

Monetary Fund said on Saturday that Mozambique has admitted to

having over one billion dollars of undisclosed debt and the two

sides were now evaluating the implications of this disclosure.

Read more

IMF says Mozambique has over $1 bln of hidden debt

JOHANNESBURG, April 23 (Reuters) - The International

Monetary Fund said on Saturday that Mozambique had more than one

billion dollars of debt guaranteed by the government that had

not been disclosed to the Fund, and said it was evaluating the

implications of the loans on the country's financial stability.

Read more

Uganda picks Tanzania for oil pipeline route rather than Kenya

KAMPALA, April 23 (Reuters) - Uganda will build a pipeline

for its oil through Tanzania rather than Kenya, which had wanted

to secure the export route, a summit of East African leaders

said on Saturday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Sudan's Darfur votes to keep multi-state system opposed by opposition groups

KHARTOUM, April 23 (Reuters) - The people of Sudan's Darfur

have voted not to reunite the multiple states of its

conflict-torn western region into one entity, the option

favoured by the central Khartoum government, the Darfur

referendum commission said on Saturday.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Syrian government strikes on two rebel-held areas kill 23 - monitor

BEIRUT, April 23 (Reuters) - Syrian warplanes bombed the

rebel-held town of Douma near Damascus and parts of Aleppo in

the north on Saturday, killing 23 people, with the death toll

likely to rise, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Read more

Iran finds Doha meeting, despite failure, a positive step

DUBAI, April 23 (Reuters) - Iran's oil minister said on

Saturday that last week's Doha meeting to freeze oil production,

despite its failure, was a positive step and Iran would support

any plan to stabilise the market.

Read more

Sudan's Darfur votes to keep current multi-state system -referendum commission

KHARTOUM, April 23 (Reuters) - The people of Sudan's Darfur

have voted not to reunite the multiple states of its

conflict-torn western region into one entity, the option

favoured by the central Khartoum government, the Darfur

referendum commission said on Saturday.

Read more

Pemex raises death toll at petrochemical plant explosion to 28

COATZACOALCOS, Mexico, April 22 (Reuters) - Mexican state

oil giant Pemex said on Friday that the death toll from a

petrochemical plant blast in the southeastern oil hub of

Coatzacoalcos had risen to 28, in the latest fatal accident to

befall the beleaguered company.

Read more

Friday, April 22, 2016

Samarco continues polluting after dam burst - Brazil prosecutor

RIO DE JANEIRO, April 22 (Reuters) - Samarco Mineração SA

has not adopted measures to stop the leaking of mine tailings as

required by a court after a deadly dam burst, a prosecutor said

on Friday, an allegation that could delay the miner's return to

operations.

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.S. oil baron Harold Hamm endorses Trump for president

HOUSTON, April 22 (Reuters) - Harold Hamm, chief executive

of shale oil producer Continental Resources Inc and Mitt

Romney's 2012 energy adviser, endorsed U.S. presidential

candidate Donald Trump on Friday, saying he has the "fortitude

to make tough decisions."

Read more

Bankruptcy judge puts off decision on SunEdison independent examiner

NEW YORK, April 22 (Reuters) - A U.S. bankruptcy judge on

Friday put off making a decision on SunEdison Inc's

request for an independent examiner at the company's first day

in court.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Halliburton says it cut 6,000 jobs in Q1, delays earnings call

* Expects Q2 will mark "landing point" for U.S. rig count

(Adds details on results, background)

Read more

CANADA STOCKS-TSX dips as gold stocks drag, index still rises 1.7 pct for week

TORONTO, April 22 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index

edged lower on Friday, slightly reducing this week's gains as

gold stocks dragged, while higher oil prices supported energy

stocks.

Read more

Halliburton says it cut 6,000 jobs in Q1, delays earnings call

April 22 (Reuters) - Halliburton Co said on Friday

that it reduced headcount by more than 6,000 during the first

quarter due to the prolonged slump in oil prices.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Speculators boost U.S. natural gas net long positions -CFTC

April 22 (Reuters) - U.S. natural gas speculators boosted

their net long positions on a bet that prices will rise in

future months as an easing in production and pick-up in demand

combine to absorb the record high amount of fuel left in

inventories after a warm winter.

Read more

OFFICIAL CORRECTED-Mexichem declares force majeure on internal contract post blast - CEO

MEXICO CITY, April 22 (Reuters) - Mexichem has declared

force majeure on one internal contract in the wake of a blast at

a petrochemical plant that killed at least 24 people, the

company's Chief Executive Officer Antonio Carrillo said in an

interview on Friday.

Read more

CORRECTED-Disgruntled investors flex vote muscle on UK executive pay

LONDON, April 22 (Reuters) - Change the way you pay or risk

losing your jobs, corporate governance watchdogs have warned the

boards of Britain's top companies, as investors call for a

reality check on salaries.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Russia's Rosneft recommends 2015 dividends of 11.73 rbls per share

MOSCOW, April 22 (Reuters) - Rosneft, Russia's

biggest oil producer, said on Friday its board had recommended

paying a dividend of 11.73 roubles per share on its profits

last year, up from the 8.21 roubles paid for 2014.

Read more

U.S. regional banks brace for losses from energy loans

April 22 (Reuters) - The five U.S. regional banks most

exposed to the energy sector set aside millions of dollars more

in the first quarter to cover potential losses from bad loans

to the struggling oil industry.

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.S. to buy heavy water from Iran's nuclear program, delivery in weeks

WASHINGTON, April 22 (Reuters) - The United States will buy

heavy water from Iran's nuclear program, and expects it to be

delivered within weeks, U.S. officials said on Friday, a move

that was quickly criticized by Republican lawmakers.

Read more

W. Virginia regulator says Alpha Natural asset sale may jeopardize cleanup

CHICAGO, April 22 (Reuters) - West Virginia's environmental

authority opposes a plan by bankrupt coal miner Alpha Natural

Resources to sell core assets to its hedge fund

lenders, saying in a court filing that it could undermine a $1

billion cleanup.

Read more

Kuwait not ruling out taking part in Rosneft, Bashneft privatisations -TASS

MOSCOW, April 22 (Reuters) - Kuwait has not ruled out the

possibility of participating in the privatisation of Russian oil

firms Rosneft and Bashneft, TASS news agency

cited a Kuwaiti official as saying on Friday.

Read more

Pakistan shares end higher; rupee steady, o/n rates rise

KARACHI, Pakistan, April 22 (Reuters) - Pakistan shares

ended higher on Friday, led by oil stocks on higher

international crude oil prices, even as investors booked profits

on cement stocks, analysts said.

Read more

UPDATE 1-India's Reliance Industries posts biggest profit in eight years

* Q4 net profit 73.98 bln rupees vs estimated 69.48 bln

rupees

Read more

UPDATE 1-GE profit tops estimates but organic revenue falls 1 percent

NEW YORK, April 22 (Reuters) - General Electric Co

reported a higher-than-expected first-quarter profit on Friday,

but organic revenue fell 1 percent, raising questions about the

company's full-year revenue target.

Read more

Bulgaria anti-monopoly watchdog raids more oil firms in fuel inquiry

SOFIA, April 22 (Reuters) - Bulgaria's anti-monopoly

watchdog said it had raided the offices of Eco Petroleum, part

of Hellenic Petroleum, and Shell Bulgaria, owned by

Royal Dutch Shell, as part of an investigation into

possible cartel agreements.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Oil prices rise as investor sentiment turns upbeat

* Goldman Sachs lifts view on energy to neutral, from

underweight

Read more

UPDATE 1-Finland's Metso profit and orders hit by mining slump

* Metso shares fall 6 percent following results

(Adds analyst comment, share reaction)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Goldman says commodities rally not backed by fundamentals

* Says oil fundamentals won't see a sustainable shift until

Q3

Read more

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Oil prices set for one of the biggest weekly rises in 2016

SINGAPORE, April 22 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose in Asian

trade on Friday, setting crude futures on course for one of

their biggest weekly gains this year, as sentiment has become

more upbeat despite ongoing oversupply.

Read more

Santos quarterly revenue steady as LNG output ramps up

MELBOURNE, April 22 (Reuters) - Australia's Santos Ltd

reported a 1 percent rise in first quarter revenue as

it stepped up coal seam gas sales to its Gladstone liquefied

natural gas (LNG) plant, offsetting a collapse in oil and gas

prices.

Read more

CalPERS says Anglo shareholders pass climate change reporting requirement

April 21 (Reuters) - California Public Employees' Retirement

System (Calpers) said its proposal for Anglo American Plc

to report on environmental risks associated with climate

change was passed at the miner's annual shareholders meeting.

Read more

COMMODITIES-Buying spree from corn to copper spurs biggest rally in a year

* Daily action shifts from bearish to balanced - fund

manager

Read more

SunEdison seeks examiner to probe recent transactions

April 21 (Reuters) - SunEdison Inc asked a U.S.

bankruptcy judge on Thursday to appoint an independent examiner

to review recent transactions, although the company said it is

not aware of any particular wrongdoing.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Schlumberger profit nearly halves as spending cuts weigh

April 21 (Reuters) - Schlumberger Ltd, the world's

No.1 oilfield services provider, reported a 48.6 percent slump

in quarterly profit, as spending cuts by oil producers continued

to take a toll.

Read more

Venezuela to cut electricity 4 hrs/day amid drought: minister

CARACAS, April 21 (Reuters) - Venezuela will cut power for

four hours per day during forty days starting next week amid a

drought that has limited hydroelectric power generation, the

country's Electricity Minister Luis Motta said on Thursday.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Kazakh Kazmunaygaz denies it plans to issue debt to buy out subsidiary

ALMATY, April 21 (Reuters) - Kazakh national oil company

Kazmunaygaz said on Thursday it had no plans to issue

debt to finance the buyout of minority shareholders of its

upstream subsidiary KMG EP , contradicting an

earlier statement by one of its executives.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Mexico's Pemex says blast death toll hits 13, blames leak

MEXICO CITY, April 21 (Reuters) - An accidental leak caused

a deadly petrochemical plant blast that has killed at least 13

people and the toll could rise, Mexican oil company Pemex said

on Thursday, the latest in a series of fatal accidents to batter

the company.

Read more

SunEdison files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

April 21 (Reuters) - Solar energy company SunEdison Inc

filed for creditor protection on Thursday, making it

one of the largest bankruptcies by asset value involving a

non-financial company in a decade.

Read more

UPDATE 1-SunEdison files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

April 21 (Reuters) - U.S. solar energy company SunEdison Inc

filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Thursday,

becoming one of the largest non-financial companies to do so in

the past 10 years.

Read more

RPT-COLUMN-Iron ore in bear market rally, likely to fade on fundamentals: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, April 21 (Reuters) - - Is iron ore's

rapid move from one of the commodities with the gloomiest

outlook to a star performer justifiable and sustainable?

Read more

China's CNPC: Russia's Yamal LNG to get loans of around $10 billion

MOSCOW, April 21 (Reuters) - Russia's Yamal LNG project,

which is expected to start producing liquefied natural gas next

year, will receive around $10 billion in loans from Chinese

banks in May, an official at China National Petroleum Corp

(CNPC) said on Thursday.

Read more

At least 13 killed in blast at Pemex plant in southeast Mexico oil hub

MEXICO CITY, April 21 (Reuters) - At least 13 people died in

an explosion that rocked a major petrochemical facility of

Mexican national oil company Pemex in the Gulf state of Veracruz

on Wednesday, Luis Felipe Puente, the head of the country's

emergency services said on Thursday.

Read more

UPDATE 5-Oil higher as IEA expects biggest non-OPEC output fall in 25 years

* China floods markets with diesel, gasoline exports

(Updates prices)

Read more

Indonesia fears piracy surge could turn regional waters into 'new Somalia'

JAKARTA, April 21 (Reuters) - Indonesia fears piracy on a

busy shipping route along its maritime border with the

Philippines could hit levels seen in Somalia unless security is

tightened, the chief security minister said on Thursday,

following a spate of kidnappings.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Fertiliser group Yara sees benefits of lower energy costs

OSLO, April 21 (Reuters) - Fertiliser maker Yara

International on Thursday reported stronger than

expected first-quarter earnings and said lower energy costs in

the next two quarters would help its performance, sending its

shares up.

Read more

China to strictly control credit for new coal, steel projects

BEIJING, April 21 (Reuters) - China will strictly control

credit available for new capacity additions in the steel and

coal sectors, both of which are suffering from price sapping

supply gluts, according to a government statement issued on

Thursday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Anglo American's Q1 production falls at most units

April 21 (Reuters) - Global mining company Anglo American

Plc said first-quarter production at most of its units fell, or

remained flat, as it cut production, sold assets, and

reconfigured mines to cope with the slump in commodities prices.

Read more

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

China March diesel exports jump 316.5 pct on year -customs

BEIJING, April 21 (Reuters) - China's diesel exports soared

316.5 percent in March from a year earlier to 1.25 million

tonnes, customs data showed on Thursday.

Read more

S.Korea won moves gingerly ahead of ECB decision; stocks edge up

* Won nearly flat; major central bank meetings eyed

* KOSPI heads up on offshore buying

SEOUL, April 21 (Reuters) - The South Korean won

zigzagged in and out of negative territory on Thursday as a

wait-and-see mood spread ahead of an European Central Bank

interest rate decision later in the day.

The won, which touched a more than five-month high on

Wednesday at 0221 GMT stood at 1,135.3 to the dollar, barely

changed from Wednesday's close of 1,135.2.

"Although the dollar streng

Read more

UPDATE 4-Three dead, dozens injured in blast at chemical plant in Mexico

MEXICO CITY, April 20 (Reuters) - A massive explosion rocked

a major petrochemical facility of Mexican national oil company

Pemex in the Gulf state of Veracruz on Wednesday, killing at

least three people, injuring dozens more, and pumping a cloud of

noxious chemicals into the sky.

Read more

Regional crises, not human rights, to dominate Obama-Gulf talks

RIYADH, April 21 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama

aired his human rights concerns with Saudi Arabia's King Salman

on Wednesday, but his talking points on that subject are

expected to be get less attention when he meets Gulf Arab

monarchs on Thursday.

Read more

Venezuela opposition-backed Congress approves new referendum rules

CARACAS, April 20 (Reuters) - Venezuela's

opposition-dominated parliament on Wednesday approved a law to

speed up the process of requesting recall referendums, as

adversaries of President Nicolas Maduro seek to push him from

office amid a deepening economic crisis.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Brazil's Rousseff going to U.N. over impeachment; cabinet in crisis

BRASILIA, April 20 (Reuters) - Beleaguered Brazilian

President Dilma Rousseff will travel to New York in a bid to

rally international support against her impeachment, leaving

behind a Cabinet paralyzed by political crisis as another

minister defected on Wednesday.

Read more

UPDATE 3-At least 8 dead in Houston-area floods, more rain falls

HOUSTON, April 20 (Reuters) - At least eight people have

died and some 1,150 homes have been damaged in flooding

triggered by torrential downpours in the Houston area this week

as more rain fell in the region on Wednesday adding to vast

pools of standing water.

Read more

Venezuela proposes non-OPEC observers at June meeting, urges deal

CARACAS, April 20 (Reuters) - Venezuela's proposal "for now"

is that non-OPEC producers who participated in the recent Doha

meeting to try to address a global oil glut attend a June OPEC

meeting as observers, the South American country's oil minister

said on Wednesday.

Read more

Kinder Morgan posts lower profit amid oil price slump

April 20 (Reuters) - U.S. pipeline operator Kinder Morgan

Inc reported a lower first-quarter profit, hurt by a

prolonged slump in crude oil prices.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Kinder Morgan posts lower profit, cuts 2016 budget amid oil slump

April 20 (Reuters) - U.S. pipeline operator Kinder Morgan

Inc reported a lower first-quarter profit and further

cut its 2016 capital budget as a result of a prolonged slump in

crude oil prices.

Read more

Ecuador eyeing international bond issue after quake - Correa

QUITO, April 20 (Reuters) - Ecuador is eyeing the

possibility of issuing bonds on the international market to help

fund reconstruction after a devastating weekend quake, President

Rafael Correa said on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Diego Ore and Alexandra Valencia; Writing by

Alexandra Ulmer; Editing by Diane Craft)

Read more

UPDATE 2-South Sudan and rebels say deal reached for Machar's return

* Sporadic clashes since deal signed

(Recasts with government saying deal reached on Machar's

return)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Axpo looks to sell three power plants in Italy - sources

LONDON/MILAN, April 20 (Reuters) - Swiss energy company Axpo

Group is looking to sell its holdings in three gas power plants

in Italy, two sources said on Wednesday.

Read more

EU regulators set to warn Halliburton on Baker Hughes deal - sources

BRUSSELS, April 20 - European Union antitrust regulators are

set to warn U.S. oil industry services group Halliburton Co

that its plan to buy Baker Hughes will hurt

competition, two people familiar with the matter said on

Wednesday.

Read more

Brazil energy minister to quit Rousseff gov't, return to Senate

SAO PAULO, April 20 (Reuters) - Brazilian Mines and Energy

Minister Eduardo Braga said on Wednesday he is leaving the post

to retake his seat in the Senate as the upper chamber of

Congress prepares to vote on the impeachment of President Dilma

Rousseff next month.

Read more

UPDATE 2-U.S. Senate passes bill to bolster power grid, speed LNG exports

WASHINGTON, April 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate passed the

first broad energy bill in nine years on Wednesday, legislation

containing modest measures popular with both Republicans and

Democrats to modernize the power grid and speed the permitting

process for liquefied natural gas exports.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Anglo American finance chief Medori to retire in 2017

April 20 (Reuters) - Global mining company Anglo American

Plc said Finance Director Rene Medori would retire in

2017 when he reaches the age of 60.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Syrian govt says serious in talks, opposition walkout may ease solution

* Labels group "extremists, terrorists and mercenaries"

(Adds details, quotes throughout)

Read more

UPDATE 2-Germany asks Belgium to switch off nuclear reactors

* Environment Ministry requests Tihange 2, Doel 3 be shut

down

Read more

UPDATE 1-Evacuation from blockaded Syrian towns begins, witness says

BEIRUT, April 20 (Reuters) - The evacuation of 250 Syrians

from two towns blockaded by pro-government forces near the

Lebanese border began on Wednesday, a witness told Reuters,

after an agreement was reached which also allowed for another

250 people to leave two other towns blocked off by Syrian rebels

in northwestern Syria.

Read more

UPDATE 1-New quake, magnitude 6.2, strikes off Ecuador coast

PEDERNALES, Ecuador, April 20 (Reuters) - A magnitude 6.2

earthquake shook Ecuador's coast early on Wednesday, terrifying

locals and impeding rescuers after a bigger weekend quake

battered the same area and killed nearly 500 people.

Read more

Shell starts voluntary redundancy process for Dutch staff

LONDON, April 20 (Reuters) - Shell said it had

started a voluntary severance process in the Netherlands as part

of a plan to cut around 10,300 jobs worldwide.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Dutch court overturns $50 bln Yukos award against Russia

AMSTERDAM, April 20 (Reuters) - In a victory for Moscow, a

Dutch court on Wednesday annulled an international tribunal's

award of $50 billion in compensation to shareholders of defunct

Russian oil giant Yukos, saying the tribunal had no

jurisdiction.

Read more

GCC, US agree joint patrols to block Iran arms to Yemen-Zayani

DUBAI, April 20 (Reuters) - Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

countries and the United States have agreed to carry out joint

patrols to stop any Iranian arms shipments reaching Yemen, the

bloc's secretary general, Abdullatif al-Zayani, said on

Wednesday.

Read more

Iraq's Sadr calls for protests to bring about new government - statement

BAGHDAD, April 20 (Reuters) - Iraq's powerful Shi'ite cleric

Moqtada al-Sadr on Wednesday called for renewed protests after

the nation's politicians missed a deadline he gave to vote on a

cabinet of technocrats proposed by Prime Minister Haider

al-Abadi to tackle corruption.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Venezuela minister warns oil prices may collapse if producers don't talk

MOSCOW, April 20 (Reuters) - Venezuelan Oil Minister Eulogio

Del Pino warned on Wednesday that global oil stocks were nearly

full and the oil price could collapse if producers did not

resume talks about freezing output levels.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Crude futures fall after Kuwaiti oil workers end strike

TOKYO, April 20 (Reuters) - Crude futures fell on Wednesday

after Kuwaiti oil workers ended a three-day strike that had cut

the nation's crude output by around half, with worries about an

oversupplied market returning to the fore.

Read more

Houston schools to reopen Wednesday but flood warnings not yet lifted

April 20 (Reuters) - Houston schools will reopen on

Wednesday after heavy rains and flooding killed at least six

people and forced the cancellation of classes for two days in

the country's fourth most populous city.

Read more

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Communist Laos appoints new president, prime minister

BANGKOK, April 20 (Reuters) - Laos's National Assembly on

Wednesday appointed Communist Party chief Bounnhang Vorachit as

the country's new president and named foreign minister Thongloun

Sisoulith as prime minister.

Read more

RPT-COLUMN-Brent signals traders to release oil stocks: Kemp

LONDON, April 19 (Reuters) - Crude oil storage helped

commodity traders and refiners make strong profits last year and

in the first quarter of 2016 but now the price structure which

made it possible is evaporating.

Read more

BHP Billiton weighs getting out of Indonesian coal

MELBOURNE, April 20 (Reuters) - BHP Billiton is considering

giving up its coal stakes in Indonesia, where it recently

started producing coal, amid uncertainty over Indonesian

regulations and a weak outlook for coal.

Read more

RPT-COLUMN-Hedge funds bet on tightening oil market despite Doha debacle: Kemp

LONDON, April 19 (Reuters) - Brent futures prices are

signalling the market expects a rapid tightening of the

supply-demand balance in the second half of 2016.

Read more

U.N.concerned by Machar delay in return to South Sudan capital

UNITED NATIONS, April 19 (Reuters) - The United Nations

Security Council expressed serious concern on Tuesday over the

failure of South Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar to return to

Juba to take up his old post as deputy to President Salva Kiir

as part of a peace deal.

Read more

UPDATE 1-BHP cuts FY16 iron ore output target by 10 mln/t

* Says now sees W. Australia fiscal 2016 output at 260 mln/t

(Adds details, CEO quote)

Read more

Colombia's Santos names Arce as energy minister

April 19 (Reuters) - Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos

on Tuesday named German Arce as mines and energy minister,

replacing Tomas Gonzalez who resigned amid an energy crisis that

has left the country on the verge of electricity rationing.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Kuwait oil, gas workers end 3-day strike -union

DUBAI, April 19 (Reuters) - Kuwaiti oil and gas workers have

ended a three-day strike that had temporarily cut the OPEC

member's crude production by nearly half, the trade union said

in a statement posted on its Twitter account.

Read more

U.S. criticizes Machar for failing to return to South Sudan capital

WASHINGTON, April 19 (Reuters) - The United States voiced

dismay on Tuesday at rebel leader Riek Machar's failure to

return to South Sudan's capital to form a unity government under

a peace deal aimed at ending more than two years of violence.

Read more

UPDATE 5-Hopes fade of finding survivors from Ecuador quake as death toll nears 500

PEDERNALES, Ecuador, April 19 (Reuters) - Rescuers in

Ecuador were losing hope on Tuesday of finding more survivors

from an earthquake that killed nearly 500 people and dealt a

shattering blow to the South American OPEC country's already

fragile economy.

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.S. SEC sets penalties in two corporate fraud cases

April 19 (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange

Commission announced two fraud cases alleging that accounting

failures left investors in the dark about the finances of

computer accessories maker Logitech International SA

and now-defunct electric car battery maker Ener1 Inc.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Kuwait oil union says it will continue strike -spokesman

KUWAIT, April 19 (Reuters) - Thousands of striking Kuwaiti

oil and gas workers will carry on with their three-day-old

strike until planned public sector pay cuts are cancelled, their

spokesman said on Tuesday.

Read more

UPDATE 2-EDF staff investors demands France buys out minorities in nuclear dispute

* EAS fears Hinkley Point will crimp future dividends

(Adds detail on dividend, EDF no comment)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Ecuador Esmeraldas refinery to be fully operational Wednesday

QUITO, April 19 (Reuters) - Ecuador's 110,000 barrel-per-day

Esmeraldas refinery restarted at 41.5 percent capacity on Monday

night and will be fully operational by Wednesday after a

precautionary stoppage because of a major earthquake, state oil

company Petroecuador said.

Read more

Kuwait oil union says it will continue strike -spokesman

KUWAIT, April 19 (Reuters) - The spokesman for thousands of

striking Kuwaiti oil and gas workers said on Tuesday that their

three day-old strike would continue until planned public sector

pay reforms are cancelled.

Read more

Ecuador Esmeraldas refinery restarted ops Monday night - Petroecuador

QUITO, April 19 (Reuters) - Ecuador's 110,000 barrel-per-day

Esmeraldas refinery restarted at 41.5 percent capacity on Monday

night and will be fully operational by Wednesday after a

precautionary stoppage because of a major quake, state oil

company Petroecuador said in a statement.

(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia)

Read more

YOUR MONEY-Shedding light on the cost of going solar

NEW YORK, April 19 (Reuters) - When you say you want to help

the environment, few steps could signal it any louder than

putting solar panels on the roof of your house.

Read more

MIDEAST STOCKS-Saudi earnings, oil boost Gulf, Egypt breaks chart barrier

DUBAI, April 19 (Reuters) - Gulf stock markets rose on

Tuesday as several Saudi companies beat first-quarter earnings

estimates and oil prices held up better than feared after the

failure of Sunday's Doha meeting to agree on an output freeze.

Read more

COLUMN-Brent signals traders to release oil stocks: Kemp

LONDON, April 19 (Reuters) - Crude oil storage helped

commodity traders and refiners make strong profits last year and

in the first quarter of 2016 but now the price structure which

made it possible is evaporating.

Read more

FEATURE-Solar panels power business surge - not just lights - in Tanzania

UKARA, Tanzania, April 19 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) -

S amwel Nyakalege's life has recently become more of a grind -

and that's a good thing.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Iran sees oil output rising to pre-sanctions level by June

* Iran ready to help support market when at pre-sanctions

output

Read more

Pakistan shares edge lower; rupee steady, o/n rates rise

KARACHI, Pakistan, April 19 (Reuters) - Pakistan shares fell

on Tuesday as losses in cement sector stocks outweighed a rally

in oil stocks following higher international crude oil prices,

analysts said.

Read more

Seventy Seven Energy to file for bankruptcy amid oil slump

April 19 (Reuters) - Oilfield services company Seventy Seven

Energy Inc said it intended to file for a prepackaged

Chapter 11 bankruptcy on or before May 26.

Read more

Russian PM orders state firms to spend 50 pct of profits on dividends

MOSCOW, April 19 (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Dmitry

Medvedev on Tuesday ordered state companies to spend 50 percent

of their profits on dividend payouts in 2016, according to a

document published on the government website.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Britain says has no plans to send combat troops to Libya

LONDON, April 19 (Reuters) - Britain has no plans to send

combat troops to Libya, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said on

Tuesday, responding to media reports that British special forces

were already operating in the country.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Denbury Resources' borrowing base cut by 30 pct to $1.05 bln

April 19 (Reuters) - Oil and gas producer Denbury Resources

Inc said its lenders reduced its borrowing base by 30

percent to $1.05 billion and that it had to pledge more assets.

Read more

Oil industry services group Aker to cut 280 jobs in Britain

LONDON, April 19 (Reuters) - Norwegian oil industry

engineering group Aker Solutions is to cut around 280

jobs, 11 percent of its UK workforce, in its Aberdeen and London

offices, the company said on Tueday, blaming poor market

conditions.

Read more

COLUMN-Hedge funds bet on tightening oil market despite Doha debacle: Kemp

LONDON, April 19 (Reuters) - Brent futures prices are

signalling the market expects a rapid tightening of the

supply-demand balance in the second half of 2016.

Read more

Glencore, Tohoku set coal contract, but benchmark fades

* Glencore, Tohoku set thermal coal price at $61.6/T

-sources

Read more

Papua New Guinea LNG projects see opportunity in tough market

* Location, low cost, high heating value make PNG's gas

attractive

Read more

Monday, April 18, 2016

COLUMN-Mining M&A still waiting for the good times to roll: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, April 19 (Reuters) - Wanted: One

mine, just started or close to production, preferably gold, must

be in secure country with high-quality ore body and low costs.

Also, must be cheap.

Read more

California governor, agencies face legal claims in gas blowout

LOS ANGELES, April 18 (Reuters) - Hundreds of Los Angeles

homeowners who live near the site of the worst U.S. methane leak

have filed claims against state regulators and the governor,

seeking $3.5 million each in damages for government failures

they blame for the gas blowout.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Crude prices dip as global glut outweighs Kuwait oil strike

* Bearish sentiment to return once Kuwait resumes output

(Recasts with lower prices)

Read more

Australia shares rally on commodities, NZ hits yet another record high

SYDNEY/WELLINGTON, April 19 (Reuters) - Australian shares

climbed to a 3-1/2-month high on Tuesday, while New Zealand

stocks reached another record after a sudden reversal higher in

oil prices whetted appetite for risk assets from equities to

commodity currencies.

Read more

Crude prices edge up on Kuwait oil worker strike

SINGAPORE, April 19 (Reuters) - Oil prices edged up in early

trading on Tuesday as an oil worker strike in Kuwait cut huge

amounts of crude out of the supply chain.

Read more

RPT-COLUMN-Saudi Arabia turns oil weapon on Iran: Kemp

LONDON, April 18 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's decision to

scupper negotiations on a coordinated oil output freeze in Doha

on Sunday seems to confirm a significant shift in the kingdom's

oil policy.

Read more

Petrobras, Brazil oil sector could get lift from impeachment

RIO DE JANEIRO, April 18 (Reuters) - Brazil's

corruption-battered state oil company Petrobras could be a big

beneficiary if the country's opposition parties impeach

President Dilma Rousseff, investors and analysts said on Monday.

Read more

Ecuador to receive $2 bln from China Development Bank for investment

QUITO, April 18 (Reuters) - Ecuador signed off on Monday on

a credit line for $2 billion from the China Development Bank

(CDB) to finance public investment, the Finance Ministry in the

quake-hit Andean country said in a statement.

Read more

CORRECTED-US STOCKS-Dow reclaims 18,000 as quarterly scorecards start to flow

* Indexes close higher: Dow 0.6 pct, S&P 0.65 pct, Nasdaq

0.44 pct

Read more

Australia stocks seen rallying, NZ shares hover near record high

SYDNEY, April 19 (Reuters) - Australian shares are set to

gain on Tuesday, tracking a rise on Wall Street, with rising

commodity prices likely to support natural resource stocks.

Global mining giant BHP Billiton is expected to

open 3.2 percent higher based on the closing of its U.S. ADRs,

while investors digested Rio Tinto's production report

released earlier in the session.

Local share price index futures rose 1 percent to

5,182.0, which was a 44.9-point premium to the close of the

unde

Read more

UPDATE 3-Tax issue throws Energy Transfer's Williams deal into doubt

NEW YORK, April 18 (Reuters) - U.S. pipeline company Energy

Transfer Equity said on Monday its lawyers may not be

able to deliver an important tax opinion for its takeover of

peer Williams Cos Inc, throwing the agreed $14 billion

acquisition into doubt.

Read more

RPT-Australia state bans underground coal gas drilling

SYDNEY, April 18 (Reuters) - Australia's Queensland state on

Monday banned underground coal gasification, a controversial

process used to convert coal into gas.

Read more

CANADA STOCKS-TSX rises to a 5-month high as oil losses pared

TORONTO, April 18 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index rose

to a five-month high on Monday as energy stocks rallied after

oil pared losses, while mining and financial sector stocks also

advanced.

Read more

French nuclear watchdog says investigating falsified engineering reports

PARIS, April 18 (Reuters) - French nuclear security watchdog

ASN said on Monday that it had been informed of the

falsification of control reports by a French engineering company

which produces parts used by industries that supply the nuclear

sector among others.

Read more

French nuclear watchdog says investigating falsified engineering reports

PARIS, April 18 (Reuters) - French nuclear security watchdog

ASN said on Monday that it had been informed of the

falsification of control reports by a French engineering company

which produces parts used by industries that supply the nuclear

sector among others.

Read more

Siemens and Valeo team up to produce electric car engines

FRANKFURT, April 18 (Reuters) - German engineering giant

Siemens and French auto supplier Valeo are

teaming up to make engines for electric and hybrid cars, the

companies said in a joint statement on Monday.

Read more

Sanders opposes Constitution pipeline between Pennsylvania, NY

WASHINGTON, April 18 (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic

presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Monday said he opposes

a proposed natural gas pipeline between Pennsylvania and New

York and called on New York officials to reject the project.

Read more

Russia wants no more delay in Ukraine Eurobond case

MOSCOW/LONDON, April 18 (Reuters) - Ukraine has asked for

more time to file a defence in its legal stand-off in a London

court over a $3 billion bond held by Russia, but Moscow does not

want another stay in the case, Russia's deputy finance minister

was quoted as saying on Monday.

Read more

UPDATE 2-UK's Centrica loses customers as smaller rivals make inroads

* UK business returned to profit in first quarter

(Adds results of AGM, updates shares)

Read more

RPT-Cheap oil slows appetite for LNG as alternative shipping fuel

LONDON, April 18 (Reuters) - Low oil prices are denting the

take-up of liquefied natural gas as a cleaner source of energy

to power ships, and it will be a few more years yet before the

fuel makes serious inroads into the marine bunker market.

Read more

UPDATE 4-Oil prices slide after demise of freeze plan

* Kuwait strike, cut in U.S. rig count prevent steeper price

fall

Read more

Suncor to disclose more information on carbon risk, lobbying

April 18 (Reuters) - Suncor Energy, Canada's largest

oil and gas company, said it would disclose more details on its

plans to compete in a lower-carbon future and on its lobbying

activities.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Vattenfall sells German lignite assets to Czech EPH

* EPH bets on German power prices recovering post-2020

(Adds EPH, Vattenfall quotes, details)

Read more

Q&A-Key facts about the Doha oil meeting collapse

DOHA, April 18 (Reuters) - A deal to freeze oil output by

OPEC and non-OPEC producers fell apart on Sunday, leading to a

steep drop in oil prices towards $40 on Monday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Congressional vote moves Brazil's Rousseff closer to impeachment

BRASILIA, April 18 (Reuters) - Brazil's leftist President

Dilma Rousseff suffered a humiliating loss when the lower house

of Congress voted to impeach her on Sunday, leaving her almost

certain to be forced from office months before the nation hosts

the Olympics.

Read more

Fund managers, convinced oil bottom is here, buy up energy stocks

By David Randall

NEW YORK, April 18 (Reuters) - After several false starts

over the last two years, U.S. fund managers are betting that

energy stocks have finally hit bottom.

Firms including T. Rowe Price, Fidelity, and American Funds

have been adding shares of exploration and production companies

that they say have the most to gain from oil prices stabilizing.

The price of oil fell from $115 a barrel to $27.88 between June

2014 and January of this year, yet is up more than 50 percent

s

Read more

U.S. to give Philippines eye in sky to track South China Sea activity

MANILA, April 18 (Reuters) - The United States will transfer

an observation blimp to the Philippines to help it track

maritime activity and guard its borders amid rising tensions in

the South China Sea, a U.S. diplomat said on Monday.

Read more

Siemens may build gas-fired power plant in Germany

FRANKFURT, April 18 (Reuters) - Siemens cleared a

regulatory hurdle on Monday in a bid to build a gas-fired power

station in southern Germany, a rare event in a country where a

drive for renewable energy has made many traditional sources of

power unprofitable.

Read more

COLUMN-America's Secret Weapon

April 18 (Reuters) - This presidential election has the

country captivated. As many commentators have pointed out, the

primaries are more focused on personalities than policy. While

the parties focus on who is going to represent them in the fall,

I want to make the case for something that I hope every

candidate will agree on in November: America's unparalleled

capacity for innovation. When the United States invests in

innovation, it creates companies and jobs at home, makes

Americans healthier a

Read more

Australia state bans underground coal gas drilling

SYDNEY, April 18 (Reuters) - Australia's Queensland state on

Monday banned underground coal gasification, a controversial

process used to convert coal into gas.

Read more

European shares led lower by oil stocks as Doha deal fails

* Reckitt rises after earnings update

(ADVISORY- Reuters plans to replace intra-day European and UK

stock market reports with a Live Markets blog on Eikon (see cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageId=livemarkets

for site in development). Adds details, updates prices)

Read more

Hong Kong shares fall, in line with others, as oil prices drop

April 18 (Reuters) - Hong Kong stocks tracked regional

markets lower on Monday, with risk appetites reduced by a tumble

in crude oil futures after exporters failed to reach agreement

on production cuts.

Read more

South Korean President Park to make state visit to Iran in May

SEOUL, April 18 (Reuters) - South Korean President Park

Geun-hye will make a state visit to Iran from May 1 to 3 to meet

President Hassan Rouhani and initiate discussions with Iran on a

wide range of areas including energy and engineering, her office

said on Monday.

Read more

BHP CEO Mackenzie says Brexit would lead to lost decade of damaging uncertainty

LONDON, April 18 (Reuters) - BHP Billiton

Chief Executive Andrew Mackenzie said on Monday that businesses

could face a decade of damaging uncertainty if Britain voted to

leave the European Union in a June 23 referendum.

Read more

U.N. chief urges rival South Sudan leaders to form government soon

JUBA, April 18 (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary General Ban

Ki-moon has urged the leaders of war-torn South Sudan to form a

transitional government quickly and roll out other parts of a

fragile peace deal aimed at ending more than two years of

conflict.

Read more

WRAPUP 2-Oil prices tumble after Saudi-Iran tensions sink output deal

* Saudi, Iran tensions scupper producer deal to freeze

output

Read more

Sunday, April 17, 2016

In crushing defeat, Brazil's Rousseff moves close to impeachment

BRASILIA, April 18 (Reuters) - Brazil's leftist President

Dilma Rousseff suffered a humiliating loss in a crucial

impeachment vote in the lower house of Congress on Sunday and is

almost certain to be forced from office months before the nation

hosts the Olympics.

Read more

COLUMN-Oil producers get worst possible outcome, destroy remaining credibility: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, April 18 (Reuters) - It was the worst

possible outcome for oil producers at their weekend meeting in

Doha, with their failure to reach even a weak agreement showing

very publicly their divisions and inability to act in their own

interests.

Read more

In need of cash, India chases $117 bln in elusive back taxes

NEW DELHI, April 18 (Reuters) - India's finance ministry is

asking for regular progress reports from tax collectors and has

set a date for an amnesty to pay off arrears on undeclared

domestic assets, as the government intensifies efforts to meet

its ambitious deficit target.

Read more

73 of Brazil's lower house vote for impeachment after 100 votes

BRASILIA, April 17 (Reuters) - With 100 votes cast, 73

congressmen voted in favor of the impeachment of President Dilma

Rousseff in Brazil's lower house on Sunday and 27 voted against

or abstained.

Read more

Nigeria pipeline saboteurs vow further Niger Delta attacks

YENAGOA, Nigeria, April 17 (Reuters) - A group that claimed

responsibility for a major attack on a pipeline in Nigeria's

oil-producing Delta region said it will carry out more strikes,

just days after President Muhammadu Buhari vowed to crack down

on "vandals and saboteurs".

Read more

OPEC, non-OPEC fail to reach deal on output freeze - sources

DOHA, April 17 (Reuters) - OPEC and non-OPEC producers on

Sunday failed to reach a deal to freeze oil output, three oil

industry sources told Reuters.

Read more

Heavy rains in central Chile affect millions, hit copper output

SANTIAGO, April 17 (Reuters) - Heavy rains battering central

Chile have left an estimated 4 million people without drinking

water as landslides wreaked havoc and rivers breached their

banks, leaving at least one person dead and closing the world's

largest copper mine.

Read more

Ecuador's Esmeraldas refinery still down after quake

QUITO, April 17 (Reuters) - Ecuador's 110,000 barrel-per-day

Esmeraldas refinery remained down on Sunday as a precautionary

measure though will likely soon restart after a major earthquake

in the OPEC nation that killed at least 235 people, the state

oil company said.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Kuwait lowers crude, refining output as workers strike

KUWAIT, April 17 (Reuters) - Kuwait reduced its crude oil

output and refining production on Sunday as part of an emergency

plan to help the OPEC member deal with the largest petroleum

workers' strike in years.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Congress to vote on impeaching Rousseff in divided Brazil

BRASILIA, April 17 (Reuters) - Brazil's lower house of

Congress will decide on Sunday whether to recommend impeaching

President Dilma Rousseff on charges of manipulating budgetary

accounts, in a vote that could hasten the end of 13 years of

leftist Workers Party rule.

Read more

RPT-Poland feels the pain of its love affair with coal

WARSAW/BRUSSELS, April 15 (Reuters) - For generations, the

region of Silesia has been at the heart of Poland's love affair

with coal as a source of pride and heroism.

Read more

Iran shows off Russian S-300 defence system on Army Day

DUBAI, April 17 (Reuters) - Iran showed off parts of its new

Russian S-300 missile defence system during National Army Day on

Sunday, where President Hassan Rouhani said the country's armed

forces were no threat to neighbouring countries.

Read more

Hundreds rally in Baghdad backing Sadr deadline on cabinet change

BAGHDAD, April 17 (Reuters) - Hundreds rallied in central

Baghdad in support of powerful Shi'ite Muslim cleric Moqtada

al-Sadr who has threatened to call mass protests if the prime

minister fails to name a new cabinet to fight corruption by

Tuesday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Italians go to polls for drilling referendum Renzi did not want

ROME, April 17 (Reuters) - Italy went to the polls on Sunday

for a referendum on off-shore oil and gas drilling rights, a

complex issue that the government hopes voters will shun.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Doha oil freeze talks face last-minute trouble

* Tensions high between Riyadh and Tehran

(Releads with delay, adds quotes)

Read more

Italians go to polls for drilling referendum Renzi did not want

ROME, April 17 (Reuters) - Italy went to the polls on Sunday

for a referendum on off-shore oil and gas drilling rights, a

complex issue that the government hopes voters will shun.

Read more

Powerful earthquake kills 77 in Ecuador

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador, April 17 (Reuters) - A powerful

earthquake killed at least 77 people, injured hundreds more,

ravaged coastal towns and sent residents fleeing for higher

ground in Ecuador on Saturday night.

Read more