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With oil prices low, early signs of a pullback in drilling activity

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With oil prices low and showing no sign of an immediate rebound, the industry is beginning to pull back on spending. Oil prices have dropped around 30 percent since summer highs, raising fears among producers across the globe. Yet, many oil majors are relatively diversified, with large holdings downstream.

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IHS Automotive forecasts 88.6M unit global light vehicle market in 2015; 2.4% growth

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IHS Automotive forecasts global automotive sales for 2015 to reach 88.6 For the APAC region in 2015, IHS forecasts that China’s economic growth will decelerate further, to 6.5% However, IHS Automotive analysts still expect light vehicle sales in China to grow by 7% in 2015 to 25.2 million, an increase of 2.4% North America.

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Sasol bails on $13-$15B US GTL project, divests from Canadian shale; no new greenfield GTL

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In January 2015 Sasol announced it was delaying a final investment decision on the proposed project near Lake Charles, Louisiana to conserve cash in response to lower oil prices. Sasol’s foundation businesses are cash positive at a US$40 per barrel oil price.

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US Shale Is Now Cash Flow Neutral

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Oil prices are probably already high enough to spark a rebound in shale production. Even when US oil production hit a peak at 9.7 million barrels per day in the second quarter of 2015, the industry did not break even. He estimates that OPEC’s cuts could succeed in pushing oil prices sustainably up to $55 per barrel.

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BP approves revamped $9B Mad Dog Phase 2 project in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico; down from original $20B cost

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BP has sanctioned the $9-billion Mad Dog Phase 2 project in the United States, despite the current low oil price environment. Today, the leaner $9-billion project, which also includes capacity for water injection, is projected to be profitable at or below current oil prices.

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Opinion: OPEC Divorce And Self-Destruction Thanks To Saudi Oil Strategy?

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If You’re a Free Range Oil Producer. Despite low oil prices, Saudi Arabia is maintaining its investment in its oil industry. as the drop in oil prices over the last year has put a strain on the nation’s finances.". In a CNN article quoting SIPRI for 2014, the author's guesses for 2015 (6.25

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Opinion: Can Argentina Capitalize On Its Vast Shale Reserves?

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The question today is just how much Argentina is willing to change and how this plays into a low oil price environment that is already negatively impacting investment elsewhere. Investor confidence in Argentina has been damaged by heavy-handed nationalist politics, including the nationalization of oil company YPF in 2012.

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