Contradictory signals from the Trump administration could help push North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiations now under way into 2019 and possibly beyond, speakers said during a Sept. 7 discussion at the Atlantic Council.   Source: News

Refinery shutdowns and slowdowns on the US Gulf Coast caused by Tropical Storm and Hurricane Harvey caused the first US crude oil inventory gain in weeks, while gasoline stockpiles experienced a drawdown in relief of the decreased refining capacity. Source: News

BP PLC has begun securing offshore facilities and evacuating nonessential personnel from its Thunder Horse platform and the West Vela drilling rig in the US Gulf of Mexico as Hurricane Irma moves westward over the Atlantic toward Florida. Source: News

Oil & Gas UK is hoping the UK Continental Shelf will get “a badly needed investment boost” as a result of almost $6-billion worth of mergers and acquisitions in this year’s first half. Source: News

Light, sweet crude oil prices for October delivery gained 50¢/bbl on the New York market Sept. 7 while the US gasoline benchmark fell 2.5¢ as some US Gulf Coast refineries restarted operations. Source: News

Statoil ASA, in two transactions, has ramped up its offshore participation in South Africa. The operator acquired 35% interest in the 12/3/252 Transkei-Algoa Exploration Right from ExxonMobil Exploration & Production South Africa Ltd. Source: News