Statoil aims to step up the speed and performance of its production wells on the Norwegian shelf, according to Geir Slora, senior VP for drilling and wells.

InterAct has completed the abandonment of an `observation’ well in the East Irish Sea for Centrica Hydrocarbon Resources.

Det norske oljeselskap will drill an exploration well in the southern North Sea with the semisub Bredford Dolphin, following clearance from Petroleum Safety Authority Norway.

Petrobras has discovered light oil in sandstone reservoirs  offshore Sergipe basin in the post-salt layer of the Piranema area.

Seadrill has a letter of intent from Statoil for use of its harsh environment jackup West Epsilon on the Norwegian continental shelf for four years, with an estimated contract value of around S$394 million.

Development drilling should start next week on South Pars Phase 16 in the Persian Gulf, according to Iran’s Petro-energy Information Network (Shana).

Transocean has extended its drilling contract offshore southeast Nigeria with the Afren/Oriental Energy/Amni International partnership.

Oilfield services provider AlMansoori Petroleum Services (MPS) has signed a joint venture agreement with US-based Rodgers Technology. This will lead to the introduction of the latter’s hydraulic workover `Versa-Rig’ to fields in the eastern hemisphere, through the newly formed AlMansoori Hydraulic Workover Services division.

Petroleum Safety Authority Norway has approved Talisman Energy’s planned exploration well 9/2-11, 11 km (6.8 mi) north of its Yme field in the North Sea.

Germany’s RWE Dea Group and Azeri state oil company SOCAR have signed an exploration accord for a project in the Caspian Sea.