Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Vermilion's Westbrick deal worth $745 million strengthens Canada’s Deep Basin position

Vermilion Energy, a Canadian company, announced on Monday that it would acquire Westbrick Energy, a privately-held oil and gas company. The deal will be for C$1.075 Billion ($746.53 M), mostly in cash. This acquisition will strengthen Vermilion Energy's position in Alberta's Deep Basin. In premarket trading, U.S. listed shares rose 1.8% to $9.03 per share. This acquisition will likely add 50…

Norway's oil and gas production fell in November but exceeded forecast

Norwegian Offshore Directorate said Friday that although the combined oil and natural gas production in Norway decreased from November of last year, it was still 2,6% higher than the official forecast. Norway is Europe's biggest supplier of natural gases and oil. However, output can vary from month to months depending on maintenance and other stops at over 90 offshore fields. The total oil…

Nigeria approves Shell’s $2.4 billion asset sales to Renaissance

Shell received approval from Nigeria’s oil minister to sell $2.4 billion worth of onshore and shallow water assets to Renaissance Group. Renaissance Group said this in a Wednesday statement. Shell has been operating in Nigerian oil and gas for nearly a hundred years. The Shell approval is part of an overall retreat of western energy companies, such as Exxon Mobil and Eni of Italy, and Equinor of Norway.

Oil Climbs After US Crude Stocks Fall

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Oil edged up on Wednesday after a drop in U.S. crude inventories, and as investors eyed a potential interest rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve while weighing its projections for 2025.Brent futures were up 62 cents, or 0.85%, to $73.81 a barrel at 10:40 a.m. ET, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 86 cents, or 1.23%, to $70.94.U.S. crude stocks and distillate inventories fell while gasoline inventories rose in the week ending Dec.

Shell submits offshore drilling plan for Suriname to environmental approval

BG International, a Shell unit operating in Suriname plans to submit a proposal to the country's environment agency to drill up to four explorations wells offshore Block 65. This was revealed by a document from the company on Tuesday. Suriname has begun its journey to offshore oil and gas production. An $10.5 billion project between TotalEnergies APA Corp. was approved earlier this year with a goal of starting production in 2028.

Talos Energy will terminate the poison pill following an agreement with Carlos Slim’s firm

Talos Energy announced on Tuesday that it will terminate its "poison pill" after reaching an agreement with the investment firm of Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, which stipulates that it won't exceed a 25% threshold in the oil company. The company adopted the Shareholder Rights Plan in October after Slim's Control Empresarial De Capitales had accumulated 24 percent of Talos common stock.

Oil Falls as Chinese Demand Sags, Fed Ponders Rate Cut

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Oil futures slipped from the highest levels in several weeks on Monday on weakness in consumer spending in China, which is the world's largest oil importer, and as investors paused buying ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate decision.Brent crude futures fell 39 cents to $74.10 a barrel by 1:10 p.m EST, after settling on Friday at their highest since Nov. 22.U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude shed 35 cents to $70.94 after registering its highest close since Nov.

Shell to Add Two Wells at GoM Perdido Platform

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Shell said on Thursday its unit has made a final investment decision to add two wells at the Perdido platform in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico to boost production.The Shell unit, which operates the Perdido platform, said the two wells are expected to produce up to 6,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day at peak rates.The wells will be located in the Silvertip Frio reservoir, where Shell is the operator with a 40% stake and Chevron holds the remaining 60%.

Cenovus Energy predicts increased production by 2025 for new projects

Cenovus Energy, a Canadian energy company, forecasted higher oil and natural gas production in 2025. It expects to benefit from the new projects that will be coming online. According to LSEG, the company expects upstream production of between 805,000 and 845,000 boepd by 2025. The midpoint is higher than analyst estimates of 820140 boepd. The company anticipates between 770,000 and 810,000 boepd this year. The U.S.

EIA: US Crude Imports to fall to lowest level since 1971

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U.S. net crude oil imports are forecast to fall by 20% next year to 1.9 million barrels per day, their lowest since 1971, the Energy Information Administration said on Tuesday, pointing to higher U.S. production and lower refinery demand.The EIA expects the United States to produce 13.52 million bpd in 2025, up from 13.24 million bpd in 2024, it said in its December Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO).

Equinor delays start of Arctic Castberg Oilfield until early 2025

Equinor, a Norwegian oil company, announced on Tuesday that it had postponed the start-up of its Arctic Johan Castberg field to January or Febraury 2024 from the end due to bad weather conditions in Barents Sea. Oilfields in the Norwegian Barents Sea sector are expected to continue producing for 30 years. They will also serve as hubs to connect nearby discoveries. Equinor announced that so far 14 wells had been drilled in the field.

TWMA Appoints Group Commercial Director

Jonathan Parkes, Commercial Director at TWMA (c) TWMA

Drilling waste management specialist, TWMA, has announced the appointment of Jonathan Parkes as its new Group Commercial Director. This strategic hire comes as the Aberdeen-based company continues to build on a period of rapid international growth and expansion.Joining the company in October 2024, Jonathan brings 20 years of commercial and strategic expertise across the energy market.

Oil Rises as Syria's Assad Departs, China eases Monetary Policy

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Oil prices rose by nearly 2% on Monday on increased geopolitical risk after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and as top importer China flagged its first move towards a loosened monetary policy stance since 2010.Brent crude futures were up $1.34, or 1.9%, to $72.46 per barrel at 11:25 a.m. ET (1625 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 were up $1.5…

Explorator KUFPEC looks for more oil and gas in Indonesia's Natuna Sea

Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company's (KUFPEC's) country representative stated on Monday that the company is looking for more oil and natural gas in Indonesia's Natuna Sea. Indonesian President Prabowo Subito wants to increase his country's production. Prabowo who was elected in October aims to reduce dependence on imported fuel. He plans to offer investors dozens of new oil blocks and gas blocks in the coming years.

OPEC+ Passes on Oil Output Increase, Weighs the "Trump Effect"

(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Darrell Hamm)

It was likely a fairly easy decision for OPEC+ to once again delay plans to increase oil output.The soft state of global demand is by itself sufficient reason to justify the decision at this week's meeting of the group to defer winding back some of its production cuts until at least April.But weak demand growth may be the least of OPEC+'s worries as the oil market is about to be hit…

Petrobras Slashes Platform Decommissioning Budget

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Brazil's state-run oil firm Petrobras PETR4.SA cut $1.1 billion in planned investments in decommissioning oil and gas platforms in its strategic plan for the 2025-2029 period, compared to what was earmarked in its 2024-2028 plan, the company told Reuters.Petrobras expects to invest $9.9 billion in platform decommissioning through 2029, compared with more than $11 billion previously estimated for the 2024-2028 period.The plan now is to decommission 10 floating platforms…

NOIA Reacts as BOEM Announces Next Steps for GoM Oil & Gas

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National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik Milito issued the following statement after the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) released the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of Mexico:"We are pleased to see BOEM finally moving forward with the next step toward the first Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease sale of the 2024-2029 offshore leasing program.

Oil Slips, Weekly Loss Looms

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Oil prices fell 1% on Friday and were headed for a weekly loss as analysts projected a supply surplus next year despite an OPEC+ decision to delay output hikes and extend deep production cuts to the end of 2026.Brent crude futures were down 85 cents, or 1%, to $71.24 per barrel at 11:04 a.m. EST. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures CLc1 were down 92 cents, or 1%, to $67.38 per barrel.For the week…

Russia, Pakistan Mull Energy Exploration JV

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Russia and Pakistan discussed cooperation on oil and gas offshore exploration and refining at intergovernmental meetings this week in Moscow, the Interfax news agency reported, citing Russia's deputy energy minister.Talks also covered the prospect of Russia supplying Pakistan with crude oil and grains, according to the report."Yesterday we received a rather interesting proposal from Pakistan in the area of offshore oil and gas exploration…

Oil Rises on Lebanon Fears, possible OPEC cuts

Oil Price Graphic (c) Анатолий Сав Adobestock

Oil prices rose more than 2% on Tuesday as Israel threatened to attack the Lebanese state if its truce with Hezbollah collapses, and as investors positioned for OPEC+ to announce an extension of supply cuts this week.Brent crude futures posted their biggest gains in two weeks, rising by $1.79, or 2.5%, to settle at $73.62 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures also rose the most since Nov.

Brazil's prosecutors press Petrobras to conduct more Amazon drilling studies

Brazilian federal prosecutors have asked Petrobras, the state-run oil company, to conduct more studies before drilling near the Amazon rainforest coast, citing the potential effects of extreme weather conditions on tides. Documents filed Monday with environmental agency Ibama show that the prosecutors cited the possible effects of extreme weather conditions on tides. A technical assessment by an oceanographer commissioned by Federal Prosecutor's Office on Oct. In a Nov.

Exxon names GM's former president to lead oil and gas business

Exxon Mobil announced on Tuesday that Dan Ammann - the former president of General Motors will be taking over its most profitable and largest business in early 2013. Ammann, who joined Exxon in 2012 to lead its Clean Energy Unit, Low Carbon Solutions (Low Carbon Solutions), will replace Liam Mallon, a 34-year veteran of Exxon, as president and CEO of Exxon’s Oil and Gas Pumping Business, starting on February 1, 2025.

Exxon continues to discuss shallow-water blocks in Guyana's auction, the company reports

Exxon Mobil, the U.S. oil giant and its partners continue to negotiate with Guyana’s government about terms for developing an oil block in shallow water. An Exxon spokesperson confirmed this on Monday. Exxon Hess, CNOOC and Exxon won the offshore block S8 during a bid round that was launched by President Irfaan Ali’s administration in late 2022. A spokesperson for Exxon Mobil confirmed via email that the group is still interested in the block, and that talks are ongoing.

QatarEnergy signs LNG long-term deal with Shell to deliver LNG to China

State-owned QatarEnergy signed a long-term agreement with Shell, the oil and gas giant, to supply LNG to China. QatarEnergy said in a Monday statement that the deal will see the LNG supply increase to three million tons per year. The agreement is expected to begin in January 2025. QatarEnergy said that the agreement highlighted the continued growth in China's market for LNG, but did say how long it would last.

Brazil will offer 91 oil blocks permanently

Brazil's Ministry of Mines and Energy said in a statement on Friday that it will sell 91 oil blocks permanently. This could result in signing bonuses of up to 2.4 billion Reis ($394.11m) at the next auction. The government will offer 39 blocks within the Sao Francisco Basin of Minas Gerais, 41 blocks, and a marginal accumulating field in Rio Grande do Norte's Potiguar Basin, as well as 11 blocks located in Brazil's pre-salt region.

Energean CEO urges Israel issue new oil and Gas Exploration Licences

Energean, a gas company based in Israel, urged Israel on Thursday to issue new oil and gas exploration licenses offshore to meet the growing demand for gas in the region. Mathios rigas also called upon governments to develop new routes of export from Israel to Egypt and Cyprus. "We need to talk to the government (Israeli) about new licenses and exploration because we have to find more natural gas." Rigas stated that we need to develop additional gas.

TotalEnergies targets new offshore exploration area

Documents from environmental consultants SLR on Tuesday showed that TotalEnergies has requested environmental authorization to drill up seven exploration wells off the west coast South Africa in the southern part Deep Water Orange Basin. Shell and other oil companies are looking at the west coast of South Africa, near the Namibian border, where recent discoveries in the Orange Basin promise more to come further south, as the basin extends.

Exxon withdraws from talks with Guyana about shallow water oil blocks, says the government

Exxon Mobil, a U.S. oil company and its partners pulled out of negotiations on Thursday with Guyana’s government over terms for exploring and developing an oil block in shallow water. Exxon, Hess of the United States and CNOOC from China won the offshore block S8 during a bid round that was launched by President Irfaan Ali in late 2022 to diversify Guyana’s energy industry. Exxon officials…

Fourth oil production vessel to leave Guyana in Q1 of 2025

The CEO of U.S. oil producer Hess John Hess stated on Wednesday that Guyana's fourth floating production, storage and offloading facility (FPSO) is expected to depart the South American nation in the first quarter of next year. Yellowtail, the fourth project of the firm that is responsible for the oil and gas production throughout South America, will add an additional 250,000 barrels a day (bpd).

Norway's oil and gas sector invests record amounts due to inflation

A survey by the Norwegian National Statistics Office (SSB) showed that investment in oil and gas projects in Norway will reach a new record in 2018. It may even increase in 2025, as inflation increases costs for development. Norway has sanctioned new fields in recent years as companies have taken advantage of tax breaks during the pandemic to accelerate projects. This is part of a strategy to increase oil and gas production over decades.

Occidental Petroleum exceeds profit expectations for the third quarter on higher production

Occidental Petroleum, a U.S. oil-and-gas firm, beat Wall Street expectations for the third quarter profit on Tuesday. However, overall earnings dropped 14% due to losses on asset sales and a decline in chemical results. The third quarter results of oil companies were lower than the previous year due to lower prices for oil and gas. Occidental's quarter profit includes one-time losses on asset sales, and gains from share sales and derivatives.

EOG Resources beats Q3 profit estimates, boosts share buyback program

EOG Resources increased its share-repurchase program after beating Wall Street expectations for the third-quarter profits, due to higher production and lower prices. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that total oil consumption in the United States rose to its highest level for the season since 2019. In July, the gasoline demand also reached its highest levels for the season since 2019.

Ghana's oil production increases for the first time in five years

Ghana's crude output increased 10.7% on an annual basis in the first half of 2024. This reversed a five-year-old decline in production. Ghana, Africa's largest gold producer, started producing crude oil in 2010. However, output dropped to a 5-year low by 2023, due to declines in production from existing fields. This effectively erased gains made by new wells. PIAC, a government body tasked to monitor the oil sector…

Devon Energy beats profit estimates, raises production forecast

Devon Energy, an oil and gas company, reported a third-quarter profit that was above expectations due to strong production. It also forecast higher production for the current quarter as a result of its $5 billion Grayson Mill purchase. In after-market trading, shares of the company rose 1.5% to $39.92. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that total oil consumption in the United States reached its highest level for the season since 2019.

Orsted says US Green Energy Demand Will Grow Regardless of Election Results

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Orsted said that the demand for green power will continue to grow in the United States, regardless of the person who is elected as president. However, the group also pointed out construction issues and increased costs at an offshore wind farm in the United States.The U.S. offshore industry is a young one, and it has already been affected by cancelled projects. Lease sales have also been put on hold.

Diamondback Energy misses Q3 profit estimates, raises annual production forecast

Diamondback Energy missed Monday's estimates for the third quarter profit as it was hit by lower prices. However, its forecast for production for this year got a boost thanks to its acquisition of Endeavor Energy for $26 billion. Oil prices dropped in the third quarter, after an interest rate reduction by the Federal Reserve that was larger than expected sparked concern about the U.S. economic situation as well as global demand.

Aker BP Q3 profits fall short of forecasts, but output guidance is raised

Aker BP, a Norwegian oil company owned in part by BP, reported a larger-than-expected drop in operating profit for the third quarter. It also said that full-year production would be at or above its guidance. A poll of analysts conducted by the company showed that an average of $1.89 billion was expected. The company reported a third-quarter output of 414.700 boed, down from the 449.800 boed it had a year ago, due to maintenance planned at several fields.

Norwegian infrastructure fund Aker to launch 1 billion euros in 2025

The head of the Infrastructure unit at Industry Capital Partners, a Norwegian investment fund for energy transition, backed by Aker ASA industrial group, said that it plans to launch a 1 billion euro ($1.08 billion), inaugural fund in 2019. Christian Rynning Toennesen, the head of ICP Infrastructure in Oslo said that they were working on energy projects onshore. He added that the projects were mainly for onshore winds…

Source: Energean has loaded a new oil unit on a vessel off Israel

LONDON, October 25 - Energean added a second unit of oil production to a production vessel that is floating off Israel. This will boost the crude production by as much as two-thirds over the next few months, according to an industry source. Recent days, the M10 oil train modules was lifted onto the Energean Power floating storage and offloading vessel (FPSO), which produces primarily natural gas for the Israeli domestic market from the Karish Field.

Vaar Energi Q3 operating profit beats expectations

Vaar Energi, a company listed in Oslo and majority owned by Italy's Eni, reported a higher-than-expected third-quarter operating result on Tuesday. It also forecast lower capital expenditures and production costs for 2024. The company's earnings before tax and interest (EBIT) fell from $907 to $740 in the April-June period, but were still higher than the $702 average forecast of 13 analysts who took part in the poll.

Norway court rejects environmental order against oil and gas field

The Norwegian Court of Appeal ruled on Monday in favor of the Government in an appeal brought by environmentalists who wanted to stop the development of three gas and oil fields. Greenpeace, among others, sued the Norwegian Government to stop the development of new oil and natural gas resources. This is the latest dispute related to climate change. In January, a lower court found that…

Equinor, Aker BP, Vaar face rising project costs, Norway budget shows

The Norwegian government announced on Monday that Aker BP, Equinor and Vaar Energi had raised their estimates of costs for major oil and natural gas development projects in the Norwegian continental shelf. The government's fiscal budget documents revealed that the cost of Equinor Johan Castberg is expected to rise from 80.3 billion crowns, which was estimated a year ago. Aker BP’s Yggdrasil will likely cost 134.4 billion crowns compared to 120.2 billion crowns a year ago…

Infinity Natural, a company that produces oil and natgas, files for an IPO in the US

Infinity Natural Resources, an oil and natural gas developer, is planning to launch its initial public offering (IPO) in the United States. This comes after the company nearly doubled its revenue during the first half year. Infinity, backed by investment firms Pearl Energy Investments (PEI) and NGP Capital (NGP Capital), will seek to list at the NYSE. The filing was made just days after the shares of BKV, a natural gas producer, began trading.

Petrobras claims that the Sirius gas field in Colombia could produce 13.3 million cubic metres of gas per day.

Petrobras' exploration general manager Rogerio Soares, who spoke at a conference for the industry on Thursday, said that Colombia's offshore Sirius well could produce 13.3 million cubic metres per day in 10 years. Soares, speaking at the Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP)'s forum on oil and gas in Cartagena, said that the initial concept of Sirius envisioned the first offshore gas production in 2029- 2030.

Ithaca Energy joins Eni's North Sea Business

Ithaca Energy announced on Thursday that it had completed a deal worth 754 million pounds ($993 millions) to purchase nearly all the UK oil and natural gas assets of Eni. This was a 100% share transaction, which created one of the largest independent energy companies operating in the North Sea. Luciano Vasques was the former Eni UK Managing Director and CEO of the combined company.

Suriname oil and gas project worth $10 billion to be approved by TotalEnergies and APA

TotalEnergies, a French company, and APA Corp, based in the United States, announced on Tuesday a positive decision to invest in Block 58 of Suriname, the most promising offshore oil and gas project. This is expected launch Suriname’s first offshore production. The small South American nation wants to follow the example of its neighboring Guyana. In 2019, a consortium led Exxon Mobil began developing over 11 billion barrels worth of recoverable gas and oil resources…

Sources say that Shell is the preferred bidder in Trinidad for a shallow water block

Three people familiar with the process have confirmed that Trinidad and Tobago has selected Shell as its preferred bidder to bid on a shallow-water block. This bidder beat out BP and EOG Resource. Trinidad and Tobago's natural gas production has declined in recent years, and the country has struggled to supply its petrochemical and liquefied gas plants. The government organized bid rounds and pressed producers to deliver the first output of offshore projects.

Helene reaches hurricane strength in Gulf of Mexico and threatens Florida

The National Hurricane Center reported that the powerful storm Helene became a hurricane Wednesday morning. It was packing winds of up to 130 kph (80 mph) as it churned off the coast of Yucatan Peninsula in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters said that Helene would continue to intensify throughout Thursday and bring a life-threatening storm to Florida's coast. The National Weather Service warned that more than 40 millions people in Florida and Georgia…

Cuba and Florida prepare for Tropical Storm Helene's impact

The U.S. National Weather Service reported that Tropical Storm Helene will cause mudslides, flooding and major hurricane-like conditions in Cuba. It is then expected to reach major hurricane status on Thursday when it reaches Florida with a life-threatening ocean tide. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said that Helene was moving northwest at a speed of 45 mph with sustained winds up to 72 kph.

As a major hurricane approaches, oil companies are evacuating their staff from the Gulf of Mexico.

On Monday, U.S. producers of oil scrambled to evacuate their staff from offshore oil fields in the Gulf of Mexico as the second major storm to hit in two weeks is predicted to ravage them. The U.S. National Hurricane Center stated that a potential Tropical Cyclone over the warm waters of the Gulf could rapidly intensify and become a major Hurricane with winds up to 115 mph (185 kph). According to the NHC, the storm, called Helene, would hit the U.S.

Hurricanes force oil companies to evacuate staff from the Gulf of Mexico

U.S. Oil Producers scrambled to evacuate their staff from Gulf of Mexico platforms on Monday as forecasters warned that the second major hurricane within two weeks would likely tear into offshore oil fields. The U.S. National Hurricane Center stated that a potential Tropical Cyclone System Nine, near the western tip of Cuba, was expected to intensify into a Hurricane on Wednesday as it moved across the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Energean gas's first-half profit rises on increased output

Energean, a gas producer, reported higher profits in the first half of this year on Wednesday. This was due to a strong summer demand from Israel, which accounts for more than 70%. The company is expanding in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It is particularly interested in areas where gas is supported by long-term policies and coal is being replaced. Carlyle, a private equity fund, had agreed to buy the assets of the company in Egypt and Italy for $945 million.

APPEC-India ONGC Videsh focuses on stakes in oil and gas assets amid energy transformation

The head of finance at ONGC Videsh said that the company is focusing on acquiring stakes overseas in oil and gas producing companies, as the shift to renewable energy will likely reduce the demand for conventional fuels. We are not interested in long-term projects, due to the energy transition. Anupam Agarwal, at the APPEC Conference, said that exploration was not a top priority for the moment.

OPEC+ Has Oil Price and Demand Problems. It Should Solve Demand

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OPEC+ has two problems and two solutions.The first problem is that crude oil prices are too low for the comfort of most of the members of the group, which pulls together the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies including Russia.The second issue is that crude demand has so far disappointed the somewhat optimistic forecasts made by OPEC for 2024 growth.The…

India's ONGC wants US approval for two projects in Venezuela

Rajarshi Gupta, the managing director of ONGC Videsh Ltd in India, said that the company is looking for U.S. permission to run two projects to increase production in Venezuela. Gupta said that ONGC wants to obtain a license similar to the one granted to U.S. oil giant Chevron for operating oil fields in Venezuela. "We have requested a license to allow us to run our two projects. The approval will allow us to operate our two projects using U.S. entities and dollars.

Min says that seismic work will begin on gas fields shared between Trinidad and Venezuela.

Stuart Young, Trinidad and Tobago's energy minister, said on Facebook on Friday that seismic work is expected to begin in the next few days at the offshore gas fields shared between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago. Venezuela issued a license in July allowing for the development of the Cocuina Field, its side of reservoir. In early 2014, the U.S. also approved this project. It will be developed by Britain’s BP and Trinidad’s National Gas Company.

Shell to make large cuts in its oil exploration division: sources

Shell will cut its oil and natural gas exploration and production workforce by 20%, according to company sources. CEO Wael Sawan is extending his cost-saving efforts to this highly profitable division following the deep cuts made in renewables and low carbon businesses. Sources said that the restructuring of the exploration, wells development, and subsurface units would result in hundreds of job losses around the globe…

Sources say Shell plans to make large cuts in its oil exploration division.

Shell will cut its oil and natural gas exploration and production workforce by 20%, according to company sources. CEO Wael Sawan is extending his cost-saving efforts to this highly profitable division following the deep cuts made in renewable energy and low-carbon businesses. Sources say that the restructuring of the exploration, wells development, and subsurface units is expected to result in hundreds of job losses around the globe…

Shell to make large cuts in its oil exploration division: sources

Shell will cut its oil and natural gas exploration and production workforce by 20%, according to company sources. CEO Wael Sawan is extending his cost-saving efforts to this highly profitable division following the deep cuts made in renewables and low carbon businesses. Sources say that the restructuring of the exploration, wells development, and subsurface units is expected to result in hundreds of job losses around the globe…

CNOOC China posts record profit in the first half of 2018 on robust output growth

CNOC, the Chinese offshore oil-and-gas major, posted a record profit for the first half of this year on Thursday. This was largely due to higher oil prices and increased output. CNOOC reported in a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that net profit attributable shareholders increased 25% to 79.73 yuan (US$11.19 billion). CNOOC's oil and gas production increased by 9.3%, to 362.6 millions barrels of equivalent oil. This was due to the expansion of its reserves.

Namibia plans to complete its sovereign wealth fund by 2025

Namibia's Finance Minister said on Tuesday that the government expects to approve its first offshore oil project in 2025 and complete the creation of its sovereign fund. Namibia, which is yet to produce oil or gas, became a hotspot for exploration after TotalEnergies, Shell and offshore discoveries. Shiimi, Namibia's Minister of Finance, said that Namibia does not expect to see income from the fund until oil production begins, which may take four to six years.

New Zealand passes law to reverse oil and gas exploration ban

New Zealand announced on Monday that it will pass laws before the end of the year to reverse an offshore oil and natural gas exploration ban and to take urgent steps to eliminate regulatory hurdles for importing liquefied gas (LNG), amid energy shortages. The right-of centre government wants to attract investment into the oil and gas industry in the country. This law will end the ban on exploration that has been in place since 2018 outside of onshore Taranaki.

Analysts say that new drilling technology could bring billions of barrels worth of oil within reach.

Analysts said that a breakthrough in oil production which producers claim can safely tap fields with ultra-high pressure could bring up to 5 billion barrels previously unaccessible crude into production. Chevron announced on Monday that it had successfully pumped the first oil out of a field with a pressure of 20,000 pounds per sq. inch, which is a third higher than any previous well.

Sources say that Petrobras has obtained environmental licenses for Brazil's oil production to increase.

Three people familiar with the matter said that Brazil's state oil company Petrobras obtained environmental permits to expand production at two offshore fields and one vessel could start earlier than expected. Petrobras can now increase production at the Mero and Buzios oil fields. Buzios will benefit from the early launch of the FPSO vessel Almirante Tamandare (floating production, storage and offloading). The fields are located in the Santos Basin of the Atlantic Ocean.

Sources say that the new'supermanager' of Brazil's Petrobras has been tasked to boost investment.

Sources said that the Brazilian oil giant Petrobras appointed Wagner Victer as a "super manager" to increase capital expenditures in order to satisfy President Luiz-Inacio Lula Da Silva's demands. Lula sees Petrobras as a vehicle for creating jobs and developing the economy, but in recent years the company faced obstacles to investing due to environmental licensing and supplier issues.

India's ONGC exceeds profit expectations for the first quarter on high fuel demand

India's Oil and Natural Gas Corp. (ONGC), boosted by domestic fuel demand and a higher realisation of prices, beat the first-quarter profits estimates. The data released by the Oil Ministry shows that India's fuel usage increased significantly in comparison to the same period last year. The country's strong industrial activity has helped to boost its economy. It is also the third largest oil consumer and importer in the world.

Exxon Mobil Continues to Ramp Up LNG Portfolio

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Exxon Mobil is ahead of schedule with its plan to double the size of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) portfolio to 40 million tons per annum (mtpa) by 2030 and will focus on selling its own gas rather than trading that of third parties, said Peter Clarke, Exxon Mobil SVP for global LNG.Exxon is revamping its LNG trading strategy amid growing production of the fuel and as part of a wider corporate reorganization that began in 2022.

Tyra II Production Successfully Restarted

Source: TotalEnergies

The Tyra Redevelopment Project (Tyra II) has restarted production. At plateau, the Tyra hub will produce 5.7 million cubic meters of gas and 22,000 barrels of condensate per day.TotalEnergies operates the Tyra field on behalf of Danish Underground Consortium, a partnership between TotalEnergies (43.2%), BlueNord (36.8%) and Nordsøfonden (20%).The Tyra Redevelopment Project is, to date…

Equinor Increases Ownership in Linnorm Discovery

View from Åsgard A in the Norwegian Sea. (Photo: Ole Jørgen Bratland / Equinor)

Equinor will acquire Shell’s equity in and operatorship of the Linnorm discovery in the Norwegian Sea. Under this agreement, Equinor will acquire a 30% interest in the PL 255 covering the Linnorm discovery, conditional upon taking over the operatorship from A/S Norske Shell. The deal is expected to close during the first quarter of 2024.The Linnorm discovery in the Norwegian Sea was proven in 2005 and is the largest undeveloped gas discovery on the NCS.

Rystad Says Oil Demand is Peaking. Predicts $60 a Barrel by 2027

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Global crude oil prices could drop to about $60 per barrel by 2027 as demand growth slows, say oil analysts at Rystad Energy, chopping a third off next year's peak price as demand tumbles.Their outlook is a reassuring message amid recent Wall Street analysts predicting up to $150 per barrel in the next two years. Rystad's long-term forecast calls for prices to peak next year at $91 per barrel before dropping to as much as $50.

MODEC’s FPSO Anita Garibaldi MV33 Achieves First Oil in Brazil

Source: MODEC

Japan's MODEC said its FPSO Anita Garibaldi MV33 has achieved first oil production for Petrobras at the Marlim field in the Campos Basin off the coast of Brazil.The FPSO is leased on a 25-year time charter contract to the state-owned Brazilian energy company—one of MODEC's longest charters to date.The FPSO is the 16th FPSO/FSO vessel that MODEC has delivered to the Brazilian oil and gas sector.

Neptune Energy Starts Production from Gas Well in Germany

©Neptune Energy

Oil and gas company Neptune Energy started production from its production from its operated Adorf Z17 gas well in the municipality of Georgsdorf, northwestern Germany.The Z17 well - in the Carboniferous formation - is expected to increase Neptune’s production from the Adorf licence by 1,800 barrels of oil equivalent per day to around 6,300 boepd. Construction of a dedicated processing…

Guyana's Oil Exports Double, with Europe Taking Half of Cargoes

(File photo: Hess Corp)

Guyana's oil exports jumped 164% last year, boosted by growing output and demand for the newest Latin American oil producer's light sweet crudes, particularly in Europe, where thirsty refiners ramped up imports to replace Russian supplies.Since a consortium led by Exxon Mobil began pumping in late 2019, Guyana's shipments have soared, bringing the South American nation's oil export income to $1.1 billion last year…

Price is the Elephant in Australia's LNG, Domestic Gas Conundrum

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Australia's threat to curb exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in order to ensure domestic supplies is another unwelcome pressure on a tight global market for the super-chilled fuel.But it's not an immediate threat, and it may also not materialize at all, depending on how the various players in Australia react to the government's planned action.What needs to be addressed effectively is the elephant in the room, namely the price at which natural gas is made available to dom

Wintershall Dea Looks to Domestic Production as Russia has 'Destroyed' Trust

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Germany's Wintershall Dea, a shareholder of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline and longstanding Gazprom partner, on Tuesday said it would look to increase domestic oil and gas output since Russia has lost its status as a reliable energy supplier.If Europe wants to reduce its dependence on imports it has to look at domestic energy supplies, Chief Executive Mario Mehren told journalists after…

Production from Nigeria's Ikike Field to Start

Image courtesy TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies, OML99 operator (40%) in partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC, 60%), announces the start of production from the Ikike field, in Nigeria.Located 20 kmoff the coast, at a depth of about 20 meters, the Ikike platform is tied back to the existing Amenam offshore facilities through a 14 km multiphase pipeline. It will deliver peak production of 50…

Oil Supply Crunch is Coming, ConocoPhillips CEO Says

ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance - Credit: ConocoPhillips (Cropped)

ConocoPhillips' chief executive on Tuesday warned of looming crude oil shortages and price volatility, citing limited spare capacity among the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and slow U.S. output gains ahead.Ryan Lance, head of the largest U.S. independent oil producer, offered a dour outlook on future supply in remarks to members of oil group the Houston Producers Forum. His comments came days after U.S.

Russia's Medvedev Says Oil Could Hit Up to $400 a Barrel if Japanese Proposal Adopted

Dmitry Medvedev - Credit: Duma, via Wikimedia Commons - CC BY 4.0

Russia's former president Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday a reported proposal from Japan to cap the price of Russian oil at around half its current level would lead to significantly less oil on the market and could push prices above $300-$400 a barrel.Commenting on the proposal, which was reportedly put forward by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Medvedev said Japan "would have neither oil nor gas from Russia…

Wasted Gas: As Global Supplies Tighten, Here’s 210 bcm of Natural Gas for the Taking – IEA Report

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A new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that if there was a concerted, global effort to eliminate unnecessary flaring and control leaks across the supply chain, nearly 210 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas could be made available to gas markets.Russia’s war with Ukraine has sent energy prices soaring as a broad swath of sanctions has effectively re-routed Russian oil and gas exports.

U.S. Natgas up 2% on Higher Demand, Soaring Global Prices

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U.S. natural gas futures edged up about 2% on Tuesday on record power demand in Texas, forecasts for more gas demand over the next two weeks than previously expected, a reduction in gas output, low wind power and much higher global gas prices.Power demand in Texas failed to hit a new all-time high on Monday due to less hot weather, but will likely break peak use records on Tuesday and…