Friday, November 22, 2024

Finance Committee News

New Mexico considers oil drilling restrictions which would reduce output and revenue

New Mexico is the second largest oil producer in the U.S. A leading economist released this week a study about potential drilling restrictions. The study showed that they could affect up to 5,4% of the future crude production and cost billions in revenue. The study evaluated the setback proposals that were made during the legislative session of 2024, which would limit how close operators could drill to certain environmental and structural areas. These setbacks are designed to protect the public against oil and gas pollution. The topic was complex and needed more time for evaluation and analysis than what we provided in the session. Ismael T.

New Mexico considers oil drilling restrictions which would reduce output and revenue

New Mexico's chief economic officer said in a recent report that the state is currently studying new drilling restrictions. These could affect up to 5.4% its future crude production and cost the state billions in revenue. The study looked at proposed setbacks, or restrictions on how near operators can drill certain structures and areas of the environment. These are meant to protect people from oil and gas contamination. Ismael T. Torres is the chief economist for New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee. He says that in 2026, the setbacks analyzed in this report will take place and more than one-third of new wells won't be put into production.

Oil, Fishing, Tourism: Alaska Economy Faces Triple Hit from Coronavirus

© Stephen Finn/AdobeStock

The U.S. state of Alaska is so far distant from the worst medical ravages of the coronavirus pandemic, but its economy is in critical condition. Alaska is especially vulnerable because it depends on oil, tourism and fisheries – basic industries that are reeling from the global coronavirus pandemic – and the state government gets most of its revenue from investment earnings that have now evaporated."Alaska is experiencing a perfect storm, a most terrible trifecta, the hat trick from hell," said state Senator Natasha von Imhof, co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, at a hearing Saturday.

Norway's Labour Calls for Debate on Oil Tax Regime

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Norway should review its generous tax regime on oil drilling because of climate change, the opposition Labour party said on Monday, three weeks before a parliamentary election which opinion polls suggest it is on course to win. Labour's Marianne Marthinsen, a member of parliament's Finance Committee, told daily Aftenposten that Western Europe's top oil producer should look at changing rules that allow oil firms to reclaim costs of "failed exploration campaigns". She later told Reuters that Labour did not have "any intentions of making changes in the oil taxation regime in the next parliament's term"…

DONG Energy Summons Shareholders for May 20 Meeting

Danish majority state-owned utility DONG Energy <IPO-DONG.CO> on Wednesday called for an extraordinary general meeting on May 20 to remove the last obstacles to a potential initial public offering. The company said it will seek shareholder approval to amend its articles of association. "The amendments include a number of changes that are relevant in relation to the potential listing of the company's shares on Nasdaq Copenhagen," DONG Energy said on its website. In September, DONG announced its plans to pursue an IPO of its shares within 18 months. This month the Danish parliament's finance committee gave the government official backing to list DONG.

AADE Lafayette Chapter Announced Board Members

Several representatives from area oil and gas companies will serve on the 2014-2015 American Association of Drilling Engineers (AADE) board to support its educational and community efforts.

The Lafayette Chapter of the American Association of Drilling Engineers (AADE) has announced its 2014-2015 board members. Members from oil and gas companies volunteer to serve as officers and committee members in an effort to promote industry education and other community efforts. The 2014-2015 officers for the AADE Lafayette Chapter are: Alden Sonnier, president (MI Swaco); David Gomez, first vice president and programs committee chairman (Chevron); Matt Hensgens, second vice president and membership committee chairman (Chevron); Jarrod Suire…

Norway's Opposition Wants Wealth Fund to Invest in Infrastructure

Norway's $870-billion sovereign wealth fund should be allowed to directly invest in infrastructure such as wind farms and solar plants, the country's opposition Labour party will propose, a plan gaining the support of the majority of parties. The world's largest sovereign wealth fund, which owns on average 1.3 percent of all listed companies worldwide, is currently mandated to invest in stocks, bonds and property abroad. But if the fund, set up to invest Norway's oil and gas revenue, was allowed to expand the scope of its portfolio to include infrastructure projects, starting with renewables, it may greatly increase capital into the sector.

Offshore Wind Investment: DONG Energy Attracts DKK11-billion

An investment agreement has been signed between  ATP, Goldman Sachs funds and PFA to invest DKK 11 billion in DONG Energy A/S. The final closing of the transaction is conditional on the approval of the State Finance Committee of the Danish Parliament. Fritz Schur, Chairman of the Board of DONG Energy A/S, says: 
"We look forward to welcoming ATP, Goldman Sachs funds and PFA to DONG Energy's 
ownership group. The new equity entails that we can carry out our growth 
strategy, including our significant investment programme within offshore wind. "
In this area, DONG Energy is today a global market leader and our ambition is 
to become even stronger.

Utile Maritime Legislation Enacted in Marshall Islands

'Financing Charters' may now be treated as 'Preferred Mortgages' — The Republic of the Marshall Islands passes Maritime Amendment Act (No. 1), 2013. The Republic of the Marshall Islands’ Nitijela has passed the Maritime Amendment Act (No. 1), 2013 – a legislative initiative of key significance to the international marine finance community. The first-of-its-kind legislation permits a “financing charter” to be treated as a preferred mortgage in favor of the registered owner of a Marshall Islands vessel, which allows a charter party to make precautionary security filings to protect and perfect its interest in a chartered vessel.