Energy Update

BRAZZAVILLE, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Congo Republic's ruling party on Monday officially designated incumbent President Denis Sassou Nguesso as its candidate for a March election, bringing the veteran leader one step closer to extending his decades-long rule.

Platts editors assess the knock on effect of the crude price drop on several factors within the Black Sea grains market and the subsequent impact on global grains prices.

(Adds latest prices) Jan 25 (Reuters) - U.S. natural gas futures traded within a few cents of unchanged for a fifth day in a row on Monday in the wake of a record-breaking blizzard in the mid-Atlantic region. Traders noted midday weather forecasts calling for a little more cold over the next two weeks offset earlier forecasts calling for less cold during that time. Front-month gas futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange closed up 1.9 cents at $2.158 per million British therma

* Saudi signal investing more in production (Wraps OPEC, Russia, Aramco statements together)