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• ANALYSIS-Deadly Pemex blast tests Mexico's new president

  *Opportunity for Pena Nieto to show a more transparent PRI. MEXICO CITY, Feb 3- A deadly blast at Mexican state oil firm Pemex's headquarters is the first key test of new President Pena Nieto's promise that his party has broken with a past of shady cover-ups, and if handled properly, could help him overhaul the lumbering giant.

• U.S. shale gas revolution throws down the gauntlet to Europe

  MUNICH, Feb 3- The United States is enjoying an energy bonanza thanks to shale gas, making it a magnet for industry, reducing import dependence and challenging Europe as it battles to dig itself out of recession, energy officials say. As Europe continues to debate it, North America is reaping the advantages, "said Jorma Ollila, Chairman of Royal Dutch Shell.

• Politics of pollution: China's oil giants take a choke-hold on power

  *Pressure on Communist Party chief Xi to check oil companies' power. BEIJING, Feb 3- The search for culprits behind the rancid haze enveloping China's capital has turned a spotlight on the country's two largest oil companies and their resistance to tougher fuel standards.

• Why the Canadian Dollar Is Slipping On Oil

  

  Oil prices are rising, which is usually good for the Canadian dollar – but not this time. Here's the reason why, and a trading plan.

• UPDATE 1-TNK-BP pulls Russia's Jan oil output down

  MOSCOW, Feb 2- Lower output from TNK-BP's mature fields led to an overall decrease in Russia's crude oil production, the world's largest, which edged down 0.1 percent in January, Energy Ministry data showed on Saturday.

• Gas, Taxes & the Consumer 

  

  Americans are paying the highest gas price on record for February, reports CNBC's Courtney Reagan.

• The Right Way to Rally 

  

  The best time to pick out the losers in your portfolio is during a rally, explains Mad Money host Jim Cramer.

• UPDATE 1-Marathon Petroleum closes BP Texas City refinery deal

  *Marathon now owner of refinery with deadly past under BP. HOUSTON, Feb 1- Marathon Petroleum Corp on Friday closed its $2.4 billion acquisition of BP Plc's Texas City, Texas, refinery, both companies said.

• Gasoline at Highest Price Ever for This Time of Year

  

  Drivers are now paying more to fill up their gas tanks than they ever have at this time of year.

• Obama Energy Secretary Steven Chu Resigning

  

  Energy Secretary Steven Chu, the Nobel-winning physicist who survived the uproar after the solar energy company Solyndra went bankrupt, is stepping down.

• UPDATE 4-Mexico blast kills at least 33, flagging Pemex safety woes

  *Pemex a byword in Mexico for accidents and oil theft. MEXICO CITY, Feb 1- Rescue workers pulled out more bodies from debris at the headquarters of Mexican state oil giant Pemex on Friday after a powerful explosion killed at least 33 people and threw a spotlight onto the state-run company's poor safety record.

• UPDATE 2-Brazil posts biggest trade deficit ever in January

  *January $4.0 bln trade deficit worse than expected. SAO PAULO, Feb 1- Brazil posted its worst monthly trade deficit on record in January due to a surge in imports of fuel and a slight drop in exports, trade ministry data showed on Friday.

• RPT-WRAPUP 2-Exxon, Chevron earnings boosted by refining margins

  HOUSTON/ SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 1- Renewed strength in refining and chemicals led to higher-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings for Exxon Mobil Corp and Chevron Corp, the two largest U.S. oil companies.

• On the Call: Chevron CEO John Watson

  Chevron Corp., the second largest U.S. oil and gas company, posted a sharp increase in earnings for the fourth quarter on higher production, better refinery performance, and a gain from an asset swap that increased the company's position in a gas field in Australia. Fourth quarter net income jumped 41 percent to $7.2 billion on revenue of $60.6 billion.

• Suicide Bomber Attacks US Embassy in Turkey 

  

  The Turkish prime minister says a local terrorist Marxist group is responsible; and CNBC's Sharon Epperson reports how the oil market is reacting to the attacks.

• FACTBOX-Mexico's oil giant Pemex at reform crossroads

  *Mexico is the world's No. 7 oil producer and a top exporter to the United States. The government warns that Mexico could become a net oil importer as early as 2018 if major new oil finds cannot be developed.

• UPDATE 2-Imperial says Kearl oil sands cost rises by C$2 billion

  *Kearl budget rises by C $2 bln to C $12.9 bln. *Q4 EPS C $1.26/ shr vs year-earlier C $1.18/ shr. CALGARY, Alberta, Feb 1- Imperial Oil Ltd said on Friday the cost of its recently completed Kearl oil sands project in northern Alberta ballooned to C $12.9 billion, nearly 20 percent above its last estimate, because of transportation delays and a harsh winter.

• UPDATE 2-Mexico blast kills at least 32, flagging Pemex safety woes

  *Pemex a byword in Mexico for accidents and oil theft. MEXICO CITY, Feb 1- Rescue workers on Friday pulled out more bodies from debris at the headquarters of Mexican state oil giant Pemex, where an explosion that killed at least 32 people has thrown a spotlight back on the state-run company's poor safety record.

• ConocoPhillips reports $2.3B in earnings in Alaska

  Sean Parnell's plan to overhaul Alaska's oil tax structure says 2012 profits by ConocoPhillips shows the system is working. Bill Wielechowski, D- Anchorage, said Thursday that it's "gratifying to see Alaska's major oil producers reaping substantial profits under our existing oil tax structure at the same time as Alaskans enjoy their fair share of oil revenue.

• WRAPUP 1-Exxon, Chevron earnings boosted by refining margins

  HOUSTON/ SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 1- Strength in refining and chemicals led to higher-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings for Exxon Mobil Corp and Chevron Corp, the two largest U.S. oil companies.